Junius P. Rodriguez
Encyclopedia
Junius P. Rodriguez is a history professor at Eureka College
in Eureka, Illinois
, who has been the general editor of reference books on the history of slavery in the United States and the world.
, Rodriguez grew up in the community of Raceland, Louisiana
.
After earning his B.A. from Nicholls State University
(1979), he taught in the public school system of Lafourche Parish, Louisiana
, for nearly a decade.
Rodriguez was elected to the position of Parish Councilman after Lafourche Parish, Louisiana
, adopted a Home Rule Charter that instituted the council system of government. He served one term from 1979-1983.
He returned to graduate school, earning his M.A. from Louisiana State University
(1987), and Ph.D. from Auburn University
(1992).
The scholarly journals have given favorable reviews to his books one of which was awarded the top prize by the American Library Association for reference works. Thus Professor John K. Thornton, writing in a leading journal concludes regarding the two-volume The Historical Encyclopedia of World Slavery (1999), "On the whole, however, this is a valuable resource, and one that repays curious browsing as well as focused research. It is well worthwhile for small libraries to pay the asking price for these large and handsome volumes." Rodriguez has often been called upon by the editors of leading journals to evaluate the latest scholarship, including the Journal of Illinois History Civil War History, The Journal of Southern History, Louisiana History and The Journal of American History..
John Greenfieldt and Patrice Bartell recommended his Encyclopedia of Slave Resistance and Rebellion for public library core collections, saying, it "provides a solid examination of the history of resistance to slavery and begins to examine some of the cultural issues that both maintained slavery and downplayed resistance….The text will serve as a good accompaniment to reference materials on slavery, so that readers understand that with slavery went resistance. It is recommended for public and academic libraries."
In addition, he consulted on the development of the documentary Human Bondage, which aired as part of the History Channel's History's Mysteries
series in 2000.
In 2002, Rodriguez helped draw national attention to the 500th anniversary of the beginning of the transatlantic slave trade. The journalist DeWayne Wickham described his efforts as "a perfect teachable moment for discussion and reflection" that was fitting for the event.
Eureka College
Eureka College is a liberal arts college in Eureka, Illinois related by covenant to the Christian Church and founded in 1855. It has a strong focus on the mutual development of intellect and character. Stated core values are learning, service and leadership...
in Eureka, Illinois
Eureka, Illinois
Eureka is a city in Woodford County, Illinois, United States. The population was 5,295 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Woodford County. The city was founded in the year 1855. Eureka is part of the Peoria, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area....
, who has been the general editor of reference books on the history of slavery in the United States and the world.
Early life, education and career
Born in Thibodaux, LouisianaThibodaux, Louisiana
Thibodaux is a small city in and the parish seat of Lafourche Parish, Louisiana, United States, along the banks of Bayou Lafourche in the northwestern part of the parish. The population was 14,431 at the 2000 census. Thibodaux is a principal city of the Houma–Bayou Cane–Thibodaux...
, Rodriguez grew up in the community of Raceland, Louisiana
Raceland, Louisiana
Raceland is a census-designated place on Bayou Lafourche in Lafourche Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 10,224 at the 2000 census...
.
After earning his B.A. from Nicholls State University
Nicholls State University
Nicholls State University, founded in 1948, is a public university located in Thibodaux, Louisiana, USA. Nicholls is part of the University of Louisiana System of universities. Originally called Francis T. Nicholls Junior College, the institution split from the Louisiana State University System in...
(1979), he taught in the public school system of Lafourche Parish, Louisiana
Lafourche Parish, Louisiana
Lafourche Parish is a parish located in the south of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It was originally the northern part of Lafourche Interior Parish, which consisted of the present parishes of Lafourche and Terrebonne. The parish seat is Thibodaux...
, for nearly a decade.
Rodriguez was elected to the position of Parish Councilman after Lafourche Parish, Louisiana
Lafourche Parish, Louisiana
Lafourche Parish is a parish located in the south of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It was originally the northern part of Lafourche Interior Parish, which consisted of the present parishes of Lafourche and Terrebonne. The parish seat is Thibodaux...
, adopted a Home Rule Charter that instituted the council system of government. He served one term from 1979-1983.
He returned to graduate school, earning his M.A. from Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
(1987), and Ph.D. from Auburn University
Auburn University
Auburn University is a public university located in Auburn, Alabama, United States. With more than 25,000 students and 1,200 faculty members, it is one of the largest universities in the state. Auburn was chartered on February 7, 1856, as the East Alabama Male College, a private liberal arts...
(1992).
Career
Rodriguez has been a professor at Eureka since 1992.The scholarly journals have given favorable reviews to his books one of which was awarded the top prize by the American Library Association for reference works. Thus Professor John K. Thornton, writing in a leading journal concludes regarding the two-volume The Historical Encyclopedia of World Slavery (1999), "On the whole, however, this is a valuable resource, and one that repays curious browsing as well as focused research. It is well worthwhile for small libraries to pay the asking price for these large and handsome volumes." Rodriguez has often been called upon by the editors of leading journals to evaluate the latest scholarship, including the Journal of Illinois History Civil War History, The Journal of Southern History, Louisiana History and The Journal of American History..
John Greenfieldt and Patrice Bartell recommended his Encyclopedia of Slave Resistance and Rebellion for public library core collections, saying, it "provides a solid examination of the history of resistance to slavery and begins to examine some of the cultural issues that both maintained slavery and downplayed resistance….The text will serve as a good accompaniment to reference materials on slavery, so that readers understand that with slavery went resistance. It is recommended for public and academic libraries."
In addition, he consulted on the development of the documentary Human Bondage, which aired as part of the History Channel's History's Mysteries
History's Mysteries
History's Mysteries is an American documentary television series on the History Channel.-Overview:The 154 episodes of the series were produced from 1994-2006. Each season consisted of 12 to 14 one-hour episodes that focused on historical events or subjects considered to be mysterious by the general...
series in 2000.
In 2002, Rodriguez helped draw national attention to the 500th anniversary of the beginning of the transatlantic slave trade. The journalist DeWayne Wickham described his efforts as "a perfect teachable moment for discussion and reflection" that was fitting for the event.
Works
- The Historical Encyclopedia of World Slavery, two volumes (1997) – ABC-CLIO
- Chronology of World Slavery (1999) – ABC-CLIO
- The Louisiana Purchase: A Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia (2002) – ABC-CLIO
- Encyclopedia of Slave Resistance and Rebellion, two volumes (2007) - Greenwood
- Slavery in the United States: A Social, Political, and Historical Encyclopedia, two volumes (2007) – ABC-CLIO
- Encyclopedia of Emancipation and Abolition in the Transatlantic World, three volumes (2007) – M.E. Sharpe
- Slavery in the Modern World: A History of Political, Social, and Economic Oppression (ABC-CLIO, 2 vol 2011)
Legacy and honors
- 2000, Chronology of World Slavery, won the "Outstanding reference sources 2000", from the American Library Association.