William Sanders Scarborough (1852–1926) was the first African American to hold a professional position in classics in the United States, earning wide recognition upon publication of the textbook First Lessons in Greek in 1881. A scholar, an activist, and a prolific writer, Scarborough penned essays on politics, travel, art, books, and the place of classical studies in the education of African Americans during his career.

This pioneering Black classicist is the subject of the latest installment of the Kelsey in Focus program, curated by T. G. Wilfong and on display throughout Black History Month. In this Flash Talk, Professor Ronnick—who has conducted extensive research on Scarborough—will highlight the life and work of this remarkable but little-known historical figure, all the while shedding light on his connections to museum founder Francis W. Kelsey, the world of academia and classical studies during the late 19th century, and African American history.

Kelsey Museum Flash Talks are 15-minute Zoom lectures by Kelsey curators, staff members, researchers, graduate students, and guests talking about their recent research or current projects. Each presentation is followed by 15 minutes of Q&A. Flash Talks are free and open to all visitors. They take place at noon on the first Friday of every month.

To register for this Flash Talk, fill out the form at https://forms.gle/op4nNJUbSVkpDTE59. Zoom log-in information will be provided upon registration. Please sign up by 9:30 AM the day of the event to ensure you receive a confirmation email containing the access code.