University of North Dakota faculty member Eric Burin will be featured on the PBS television show History Detectives on Monday, August 17, at 8 p.m. (CDT). 

This History Detectives episode will showcase Burin’s research on the African colonization movement—this was a time in U.S. history from the early 1700s to late 1800s when there was a movement to send black Americans back to Africa.

Burin, an associate professor in the UND Department of History, is an expert on Liberia, a country on the west coast of Africa founded by black Americans. PBS interviews Burin about why some 19th century black Americans moved to Liberia. The interview also addresses the mystery of whether one Florida man ever achieved his dream of emigrating there.

In 2005, Burin wrote a book titled “Slavery and The Peculiar Solution: A History of the American Colonization Society.”  It is based on Burin’s extensive archival research and a database of 16,000 American Colonization Society emigrants. The book provides insights on the origins, intentions, activities, and fate of the colonization movement.

According to PBS, History Detectives explores “the complexities of historical mysteries, searching out the facts, myths and conundrums that connect local folklore, family legends and interesting objects.” The program is hosted by four historical investigation experts who specialize in architecture, popular culture, sociology, archeology, collectibles, and genealogy.

PBS says the team employs “traditional investigative techniques, modern technologies, and plenty of legwork” to provide “insights into our national history.”

Useful link: http://www.pbs.org/opb/historydetectives/investigations/708_liberia.html

Contacts
Eric Burin, associate professor
Department of History
(701) 777-4622 eric.burin@und.edu

Juan Pedraza
Office of University Relations
(701) 777-6571 (office) (701) 740-1321 (cell)
juanpedraza@mail.und.edu