William Louis Poteat: A Leader of the Progressive-Era South

276 Pages·2000·20.62 MB·English

by  Randal Hall

Religion in the South
John B. Boles, Series Editor

William Louis Poteat
A Leader of the
Progressive-Era South
Randal L. Hall
Publication of this volume was made possible in part by a grant
from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Copyright © 2000 by The University Press of Kentucky
Scholarly publisher for the Commonwealth,
serving Bellarmine College, Berea College, Centre
College of Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky University,
The Filson Club Historical Society, Georgetown College,
Kentucky Historical Society, Kentucky State University,
Morehead State University, Murray State University,
Northern Kentucky University, Transylvania University,
University of Kentucky, University of Louisville,
and Western Kentucky University.
All rights reserved.
Editorial and Sales Offices: The University Press of Kentucky
663 South Limestone Street, Lexington, Kentucky 40508-4008
04 03 02 01 00 5 4 3 2 1
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Hall, Randal L., 1971-
William Louis Poteat: a leader of the progressive-era South / by Randal L. Hall.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-8131-2155-8 (alk. paper)
1. Poteat, William Louis, 1856-1938. 2. Social reformers—North Carolina—
Biography. 3. Biology teachers—North Carolina—Biography. 4. College
teachers—North Carolina—Biography. 5. Baptists—North Carolina—Biography.
6. Evolution—Study and teaching—North Carolina—History. 7. Evolution—
Religious aspects—Baptists. 8. Wake Forest College—Faculty—Biography. I.
Title
HV28.P67 H35 2000
378.756'55—dc21
[B}
99-049444
The author affectionately dedicates
this work to his wife,
Naomi J. Hall.

Contents
List of Illustrations viii
Acknowledgments ix
Introduction 1
1. Genesis of a Southern Reformer 5
2. Separate Spheres—Personal, Professional, Religious 22
3. Christian Progressivism in the South 60
4. Wrestling New South Education 103
5. Christianity, Enlightenment, and Baptist Democracy 129
6. Spokesman for Another Lost Cause 157
Conclusion 195
Notes 201
Bibliography 247
Index 258
Illustrations
Poteat as a boy 9
Poteat's childhood home 9
Poteat in the 1880s 28
Poteat as president of Wake Forest College 74
Poteat's plan of study 142
William and Emma Poteat 162
Poteat in 1937 198