R3 and the Digital Humanities: The Henry McNeal Turner Project

Here at R3, we want to highlight some of the digital humanities and archival projects that focus of rhetoric race or religion. If you have a digital project focused on any aspect of rhetoric, race, or religion, please share them with us here at R3. Today’s Post: The Henry McNeal Turner Project directed by our managing editor and founder Dr. Andre E. Johnson

by Andre E. Johnson

I discovered Henry McNeal Turner by accident. While starting a seminar class in rhetorical criticism and trying to hone in on a dissertation topic, I ran across a speech delivered by Turner. He delivered the speech on the floor of the Georgia House of Representatives as the House debated whether African Americans could hold office in the state of Georgia. I remember reading the speech and wondering if anyone had studied Turner’s rhetoric.

However, there was a problem. Since Turner lived during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, it was my belief that texts to study Turner would be difficult to find. Turner, like many of his contemporaries during this time, spoke extemporaneously—not from notes or prepared texts. Moreover, unlike many other speakers during this time, Turner did not travel with a stenographer—or someone who could have written what Turner said for later publication. Going into my project, I only hoped there were enough texts to do a solid dissertation.

However, imagine my surprise when I found that Turner was one of the most prolific writers and speakers during his time and that much of his writings were not lost to history. Turner published copious amounts of material for the newspapers, magazines, and journals of his day. Turner lectured throughout the country and wrote extensively on his travels to Africa. In short, many would consider Turner a public intellectual in today’s definition of the term. 

However, sadly, many today have not heard of Turner. Indeed, it is as if Turner has been lost to history. I found myself always explaining to people who Turner was and why I thought, at least, he was so important. This is why I started the Henry McNeal Turner Project. The goal of the project is simple and ambitious: we want to collect as many of the the writings of Bishop Turner and have them archived in one place. It is our intent to recover a lost voice within American and African American history. Henry McNeal Turner deserves recognition and it is our fervent hope that the site begins to serve that purpose. 

Go to the Project here

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