Richard T. Drake, 1990

Richard B. Drake (1925–2019) was a historian and longtime faculty member at Berea College in Kentucky who became a pioneering scholar in Appalachian studies. He joined the college in 1956, developed courses and curricula focused on the region, and helped establish the college’s Appalachian Studies Center and the first regional Appalachian Studies conference (in 1977). (Berea College) His major work, A History of Appalachia (University Press of Kentucky, 2001), offers a comprehensive social history of Appalachia, spanning from pre-European indigenous settlement to the modern era, and covering themes such as folk traditions, industrialization, resource extraction, healthcare, education, and urbanization across the region. (UKnowledge) In his writing and teaching, Drake emphasized both scholarly rigor and advocacy, seeking to challenge stereotypes about Appalachia, highlight its cultural richness, and draw attention to issues of resource exploitation and regional identity. (jstor.org)(Written with AI assistance)