CAT Tracks for November 25, 2011
DARREL DEXTER TO SIGN BOOKS


From the Southern Illinoisan...

Link to Original Story


Regional historian to sign books

Linda Rush
The Southern

Dexter to sign books Saturday: Darrel Dexter, an award-winning regional historian, will discuss and sign copies of his latest book, "Bondage in Egypt: Slavery in Southern Illinois" beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Bookworm bookstore in Carbondale.

The Bookworm is located in Eastgate Shopping Center at Wall and Walnut (Illinois 13 eastbound).

Dexter's book is dedicated to the study of slavery in Illinois. Though slavery was banned in the territory and state by the Northwest Ordinance of 1787, Dexter's book documents how slavery legally existed in Illinois from 1720 to 1865. His study also includes material on the Underground Railroad in Illinois, which helped many fleeing slaves make their way north to freedom.

"Bondage in Egypt" was published by the Center for Regional History at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau. The 636-page book is available in both hardcover ($25) and softcover ($17).

Dexter was born in Cairo and received degrees in history from SIU Carbondale and a master's in history from Southeast Missouri State. He now lives in rural Jonesboro. As a long-time teacher and historian, he received the Delta Award from SIUC's Friends of Morris Library for writing with distinction about regional history. He was the 2011 recipient of the Olive Foster Teacher of the Year award from the Illinois State Historical Society.

For more information call the Bookworm at 618-457-2665.


CAT Tracks Editor's Note:

Since we're talkin' history here...

Darrel Dexter did a tour of duty in Cairo School District Number One...teaching at Cairo Junior High School back in the day when it was a separate building. So, yes, Darrel Dexter is a former CAT.