Brett Derbes

About Brett Derbes

As Managing Editor I overlook all aspects of the Handbook of Texas and coordinate with project directors to continually expand and improve content. The role requires me to hire, train, and supervise interns, graduate students, and Handbook staff who work in the office and remotely. I participate in both department and board meetings, as well as assign, fact-check, edit, revise, update, and improve online entries focused on people, places, and events in Texas History. I assist the Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) in its mission to preserve, publish, and promote Texas History and make it accessible to everyone. At the University of North Texas I explored Civil War and Reconstruction history under the direction of Dr. Richard G. Lowe, Texas history with Dr. Richard B. McCaslin, and Local history with Dr. Randolph B. Campbell. At Auburn University I studied Civil War and Reconstruction history under the direction of Dr. Kenneth W. Noe, Southern history with Dr. Kelly Kennington, Latin American history with Dr. Tiffany Sippial, and Archival Studies with Dr. Reagan Grimsley. My dissertation,\"Inmates Make War: Convict Labor at State Penitentiaries in the Antebellum and Civil War South, 17••••65\" examines state penitentiaries in AL, AR, GA, LA, MS, TN, TX and VA (NC, SC, and FL did not construct state penitentiaries until after the war).

Experience

1. Administrative Director

   Texas State Historical Association

   Mar 2021 — Present · Austin, TX, US

Education

• University of North Texas

  Master of Arts (M.A.), American History (United States)

  2008 — 2011

• Auburn University

  Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), American History (United States)

  2011 — 2018

• University of North Texas

  Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), American History (United States)

  2005 — 2007