INTRODUCTION

Subjecto The subject of the present work is the early history of Bennett College, Greensboro, North Carolina. The term ”early” des- ignates the period from its beginning in 1873 until its re—organization in 1926 into a college for Negro women. During these fifty-three years

Bennett College served as a Methodist~sponsored co=educational institu-

tion of elementary, secondary and higher learning for the freedmen of

North Carolina and their descendants.

Motives. Two basic motives lie behind the present work. The first motive, to investigate the practical applications of religious convictions, led to an inquiry into the post-Civil War efforts of the United States denominational groups toward the education of the freed Negroes. The writer, being a Methodist and a North Carolinian, found it natural to concentrate this investigation in the more specific area of efforts of the Methodist groups to educate North Carolina freedmen. Research showed that the only two of these Methodist institutions existing today are Livingstone College in Salisbury, North Carolina, begun in 1880 by the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, and Ben- nett College in Greensboro, North Carolina, established in l873 by the Methodist Episcopal Church. Bennett College was therefore chosen as the subject of this work. The second motive was to make a contribution of historical value. In this respect it is important that ample mate- rial on this subject is available and that a detailed survey of the history of the school has never been written.

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