Hugh Talmage Lefler

Hugh Talmage Lefler (1901–1981) was an American historian and educator. He is known for his work on the history of North Carolina, some of which is considered pseudohistorical. Lefler taught at the University of North Carolina for many years, and authored a number of books including a history of the university.

Biography
Hugh Talmage Lefler was born on December 8, 1901, in Cooleemee, North Carolina, and grew up on a farm in Davie County. After attending Weaver College, he was graduated from Trinity College, Durham in 1921 with a B.A. degree and in 1922 with a M.A. degree. In 1931, he received a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania.

Lefler was on the faculty at the North Carolina State College of Agriculture and Engineering (now North Carolina State University) from 1926 to 1935, where he taught history.

His book The Growth of North Carolina was used as the standard state history textbook in North Carolina public schools. His book North Carolina, History of a Southern State was the leading text on the subject. Author Sam Ragan, writing in the North Carolina Historical Review, wrote that Lefler "made history come alive in the classroom and in his books." He held historical views that are typical of the Lost Cause, such as the highly questionable at best view that the American Civil War was not necessarily fought over slavery, writing that "... there were other reasons for the [Civil] war than the question of slavery extension."

He died on April 21, 1981, and is buried at the Old Chapel Hill Cemetery. A historical marker commemorating him and his work is located a mile from his former home. The University of North Carolina's Wilson Library has a collection of his papers.