NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Dewey W. Grantham, a nationally prominent scholar of the 20th century South and distinguished faculty member in the Vanderbilt Department of History, died Aug. 26 at St. Thomas Hospital. He was 83 years old and had suffered during the past year from cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.
Grantham began teaching at Vanderbilt in 1952 and was named the Holland N. McTyeire Professor of History in 1977. "Dewey brought deep research, skillful synthesis and a magisterial writing style to all of his works," said Jacque Voegeli, professor of history and dean, emeritus, of the College of Arts and Science. "One of his major contributions was the number of outstanding graduate students whose doctoral work he directed. Many have gone on to hold distinguished professorships elsewhere."
Grantham was the author of numerous books and articles about Southern history and politics, including The South in Modern America: A Region at Odds, The Life and Death of the Solid South: A Political History, and Southern Progressivism: The Reconciliation of Progress and Tradition. In addition, Grantham wrote an article for the Tennessee Historical Quarterly’s Bicentennial series in 1996 titled "Tennessee and Twentieth Century American Politics."
A former president of the Southern Historical Association, Grantham donated his personal library, consisting of approximately 4,000 books about Southern history and politics, to the downtown branch of the Nashville Public Library in 2001. During a reception to honor Grantham for the donation of his book collection, Paul Conkin, distinguished professor of history, emeritus, spoke about his many contributions. "He helped build, for the first time, a strong history graduate program at Vanderbilt," Conkin said. "He generously guided the work of dozens of appreciative graduate students. I am proud to count myself as one of these. "
Grantham won the Charles S. Sydnor Award from the Southern Historical Association. He held several fellowships from several organizations including the National Humanities Center and the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation. He taught as visiting professor in the Coe Institute, State University of New York at Stony Brook, and as Fulbright-Hays Lecturer, University of Aix-en-Provence.
Grantham was popular with his students and colleagues and received the Harvie Branscomb Distinguished Professor Award in 1971. "That he was a truly outstanding scholar was widely known," said Sam McSeveney, professor of history, emeritus. "Those of us who were his colleagues were fortunate to come to know him as a member of the department and university communities, and as a friend. He was a gentleman and a gentle man."
Grantham was born in rural Georgia and served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy Coast Guard during World War II. With the help of the G.I. Bill, he earned his doctorate from the University of North Carolina in 1949.
Grantham is survived by his wife, Virginia B. Grantham, and three children: Wesley, Clinton and Lauren, and five grandchildren.
A memorial service is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Sept. 10 at the First Unitarian-Universalist Church, 1808 Woodmont Blvd., where he was an active member. The family has requested that donations be made to his church, Alive Hospice, Second Harvest Food Bank or to a charity of one’s choice.
Media contact: Ann Marie Deer Owens, (615) 322-NEWS
Annmarie.owens@vanderbilt.edu