Friends of Professor Joseph Carter Corbin

Flowers for Professor Corbin…

Dr. Gladys Turner Finney’s work in sharing the legacy of Professor Joseph Carter Corbin, Ohio-born founder of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, includes nomination to the Ohio Civil Rights Hall of Fame, an Ohio historic marker at Ohio University, an Arkansas historic marker at the original site of the Branch Normal School, and a designation of his gravesite on the US Department of the Interior National Register of Historic Places. Her work is being appreciated by others.

The Showmen's League of America, an organization that supports circus performers and their families, has been around for nearly 120 years. The Showmen’s League has more than 60 performers buried in Woodland Cemetery in Forest Park, IL, and sought advice from Dr. Turner Finney about applying for a historic designation for that site. They are impressed by her work with Corbin and agreed to place flowers at the Corbin gravesite.

Members of the Showmen's League of America, Past President and Cemetery Committee Chairman Donnie Massie and Gregg Bodnar, visited Professor Corbin's gravesite on Friday, May 22, 2026. They took the time to educate themselves about Dr. Corbin and placed flowers.

Drs. Kimberley Davis and Gladys Turner Finney presented on the History of Professor Joseph Carter Corbin and the founding of the Branch Normal School which was to become the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 150 years ago!

Celebrating 150 Years: Joseph Carter Corbin and UAPB | Legacies & Lunch Join Dr. Gladys Turney Finney in conversation with Dr. Kimberley Davis to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the opening of the Branch Normal College (now ...

The attached document is a running timeline of the work of Dr. Gladys Turner Finney and others to revive the legacy of Professor Joseph Carter Corbin.

Professor Joseph Carter Corbin died January 11, 1911 in Pine Bluff. He had no death certificate because his death was prior to Arkansas state registration of deaths. He was interred January 14, 1911 at Waldheim Cemetery (now Forest Home Cemetery), the only cemetery in Chicago that did not adhere to racial covenants for burial. There was little written on his life and legacy. He was not on the world wide web.

Milestones - Corbin Legacy.pdf

Did you ever wonder why Professor Joseph Carter Corbin went to Arkansas, of all places, after the Civil War? This article from the Central Arkansas Library System may partially explain how Corbin knew about the plight of African Americans in the state of Arkansas before deciding to contribute his considerable talents to help resolve the problem.

There are many questions that remain about the era of reconstruction and the legacy of Professor Joseph Carter Corbin. The Friends of Professor Joseph Carter Corbin posts documentation and clues for researching and unlocking these mysteries. Subscribe and visit regularly.

Happy Black History Month!

Appeal of the Arkansas Exiles to Christians throughout the World - Encyclopedia of Arkansas

Appeal of the Arkansas Exiles to Christians throughout the World - Encyclopedia of Arkansas The “Appeal of the Arkansas Exiles to Christians throughout the World” was a plea for assistance written by twelve free African Americans expelled from ...

HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH!!

HISTORY HONORED!

May 1, 2024, we celebrated the dedication of Dr. Joseph Carter Corbin’s gravesite to the National Registry of Historic Places. Dr. Corbin was the visionary founder of Branch Normal College, now UAPB—a true pioneer of education in Arkansas.

This recognition ensures his immense contributions are never forgotten. But our work continues! Help us keep his legacy alive.

➡️ SHARE this post to spread his story.

➡️ CONSIDER a gift to the Friends of Professor Joseph Carter Corbin Legacy Endowment. Every contribution supports future generations of scholars.
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