Broadus Mitchell


Broadus Mitchell was a historian, professor, and author. He taught economics at Johns Hopkins University from 1919 to 1939, Occidental College 1939–1941, New York University 1942–1949, Rutgers 1949–1958, and Hofstra 1958–1967. Representing the Socialist Party, Dr. Mitchell ran for governor of Maryland in 1939.

Background

Mitchell was born in Georgetown, Kentucky. He attended the University of South Carolina, graduating in 1913, and went on to study at Johns Hopkins University, where he received his Ph.D. in 1918.
Mitchell wrote numerous books on the economic history of the South, including The rise of Cotton Mills in the South, William Gregg, Factory Master of the Old South, and The Industrial Revolution of the South. His 1924 book Frederick Law Olmsted, a critic of the Old South reviews in hindsight the prescient feature stories the young Olmsted wrote based on a tour through the southern states just before the Civil War. In 1962 Dr. Mitchell wrote a two-volume biography titled: Alexander Hamilton. He subsequently wrote four more books on Hamilton's life and influence.
Throughout his tenure at Hopkins from 1919 to 1939 there were two recurring issues that landed Mitchell in trouble with the university and opened him up to criticism: his radical political and economic views as a socialist, and his outspoken stance supporting equal rights along racial lines. During his time as Professor at Johns Hopkins University those views eventually led to his resignation over the university's refusal to admit an African American student into the graduate school.
Mitchell ran for governor in 1939 representing the Socialist party, receiving 6,773 votes representing 1.32% of the popular vote.
Mitchell died at Phelps Memorial Hospital in Tarrytown, New York.

Publications