(WJBF) – An author and professor is highlighting the first African-American Archaeologist, born in Hephzibah. I had the chance of speaking with Professor John Lee from the University of California, Santa Barbara about the historical marker unveiled this week.
“Professor Gilbert has received international recognition as the first black archeologist, and this marker makes that very, very visible and concrete right here on Paine College’s campus,” said John W.I. Lee, Author of “The First Black Archaeologist: A Life of John Wesley Gilbert”
Before his international recognition, John Wesley Gilbert was recognized right here in the CSRA as a native Augustan.
“Professor Gilbert was born into slavery in Hephzibah, Georgia– nearby. After emancipation, he got his education here, in the public schools of Augusta, Georgia. He studied at Atlanta Baptist Seminary, which later became Morehouse College, and he finished his education in Augusta here at Paine College, before going on to Brown University. So, it’s a real story of a local Augustan who has his roots here, his education here, his life and career here.”