Thomas P. Abernethy, who died in December 1975, taught American history at the University of Virginia from 1930- 1961, holding the title of Richmond Alumni Professor. He had also taught at Vanderbilt University, Indiana University, the University of Alabama, and the University of Texas. A native of Alabama, he received the B.A. degree from The college of Charleston, the M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from Harvard University, and an honorary Litt.D from Washington and Lee University.
Abernethy's previous publications include The Burr Conspiracy, Three Virginia Frontiers, Western Lands and the American Revolution, From Frontier to Plantation in Tennessee, and the Formative Period in Alabama.
In doing research for The South in the New Nation, Abernethy has worked in major repositories of historical material throughout the country, and in the archives of all Southern states. He as made wide use of manuscript collections, official documents, and contemporary publications, including at least one complete file of newspapers for each of the Southern states.
