Edgar Toppin

Edgar Toppin

Edgar Allan Toppin, Sr. (January 22, 1928 – December 8, 2004) was an African American professor of history, and an author who specialized in Civil War, Reconstruction and African American history. He spent the majority of his 40+ year teaching career at Virginia State University, and wrote ten books on the subjects of American and African American history. He served on several historical boards including the National Park Service, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History, the later serving as President. As President, he was instrumental in turning Black History Week into Black History Month in 1976.