Gary Tucker

Title: North Carolina Academies 1776-1850.

Abstract:

In antebellum North Carolina academies were opened to provide secondary education. These semi-private institutions were operated by individuals with the permission of the state legislature and varied greatly in size, curriculum, and structure. To this point very little work has been done to quantify these schools, and more importantly demonstrate their significance within antebellum society. This study will seek to fill part of this historiographical vacuum, specifically by concentrating upon the development of the academies in conjunction with demographic growth and change within the state. The funding of these institutions will also be briefly discussed in order to understand how they obtained funds for opening and survival without extensive state financial support.