Gilbert Fite

Gilbert Fite (1918–2010) was an American historian, especially influential for his work in agricultural history. Fite lived his early life in South Dakota and received his education through the master's level in that state. After completing an M.A. in history at the University of South Dakota, he completed his doctoral studies at the University of Missouri, where he received the Ph.D.^[1]

Fite spent most of his academic career at the University of Oklahoma. He also held the Richard B. Russell chair in American history at the University of Georgia. Fite wrote many books and articles for academic historical journals. His books included:

• Flight from the Farm (1959)
• Cotton Fields no More: Southern Agriculture, 1865–1980 (1984)^[2]
• Richard B. Russell, Jr., Senator From Georgia (1991) for which he won the D.B. Hardeman Prize

Fite also served as president of the Agricultural History Society (1960–1961), and from 1971 to 1976 he was president of Eastern Illinois University.^[3]

References

1. "Pure Pierre Politics".
2. "Gilbert Fite, 1918–2010". Pure Pierre Politics.
3. "Former EIU President Gilbert Fite Dies at 92". Eastern Illinois University.

External links

• Booknotes interview with Gilbert Fite on Richard B. Russell, Jr.: Senator from Georgia, August 2, 1992.