Charlton W. Tebeau

Who was Charlton W. Tebeau?

Charlton W. Tebeau was a prominent American historian of Florida. Tebeau was born in Springfield, Georgia. He took a teaching job at the University of Miami in 1939, where he remained for 37 years, ultimately serving as chairman of the University of Miami's History Department for 23 years.

Tebeau helped start the Historical Museum of Southern Florida in Miami and served as editor of its annual historical journal, Tequesta, for 40 years.

Tebeau wrote many books on the history of Florida. Best known is A History of Florida, which was published in 1971 by University of Miami Press. This was the most comprehensive history of Florida published to that time, and became a standard textbook. It is now in its third edition. Esquire magazine named Tebeau a super-prof in 1966.

The Charlton W. Tebeau Chair in American History has established at the University of Miami in Tebeau's honor. There are currently two Tebeau Chairs of history Michael Bernath and Robin F. Bachin. The Florida Historical Association also annually awards the "Charlton Tebeau Book Award" for the publication of a general interest book on Florida history.