How long have you been working at the University?\nThis is my second year.
Which classes do you teach?\nI teach "Rise and Fall of the Slave South," which covers the colonial era through the late 19th century, "American Intellectual & Cultural History," from the Revolution to World War I, and a research seminar on gender and the American Civil War.
Tell me about your childhood.\nI grew up in Fairfax, Va. My parents both taught me the love of history. My father is Turkish. My mother was born and raised in Germany. I'm a first-generation American and [my parents] thought it was important for me and my brother to learn American history. They took us to great local sites, like Mount Vernon. Many of my friends from Virginia took these places for granted.
Why did you decide to focus on Southern history?\nAt an early age, I learned that what is considered 'Southern' is in the eye of the beholder. I never considered myself a Southerner until I went to college in the North (at Swarthmore for my B.A. and Yale for my Ph.D). In Northern Virginia, some people had a strong Southern identity and others didn't. It got me interested in how Southern identity has been constructed.
What are your greatest accomplishments?\nMy two children: Ben is 14 and Emma is 11. They have made a quick adjustment to life here and have really come to love U.Va. and Charlottesville. They are my personal accomplishments. Professionally, I'm proud to have written books that provoke us to confront the complexities of Southern history. I've tried to bring to life stories of Southern dissent and divisions, and of people outside the halls of power. For example, my second book, "Southern Lady, Yankee Spy," tells the story of Elizabeth Van Lew, who led a federal espionage ring in Civil War Richmond.
Is your family as interested in history as you are?\nThey do like history. My husband, Will Hitchcock, who teaches here at U.Va., is a historian. My brother is a historian. It's hard to escape [history] in our family. My kids are definitely interested. My daughter is going to dress up as Abraham Lincoln for Halloween this year - that was her choice, not mine!
Other than teaching three classes, what are you currently working on?\nI'm now writing a book about Appomattox and Lee's surrender to Grant. This moment has been synonymous with reunion. But I've found that from the start, the meaning of the surrender was bitterly contested. It's going to be titled "Appomattox: Victory, Defeat and Freedom at the End of the Civil War." I plan to finish the manuscript in the next year - it should be out in three years.
How is working at U.Va. different from your previous two teaching jobs - Wellesley College and Temple University?\nU.Va. for a historian is special. At Mr. Jefferson's University, the students bring to the table an awareness and knowledge of history. Our department has a long-standing tradition of scholarly excellence - particularly in the fields of Southern and Civil War history - and it is an honor to be here. History is a popular major, and so much a part of our image here at U.Va.
What do you hope your students ultimately learn from your classes?\nI hope the students will learn that historians argue about everything. History is not simply the assimilation of facts - it involves detective work. It combines the skill sets of the social sciences and the humanities. Historians follow strict rules for gathering and interpreting data. But we also have to draw on literary skills to bring our stories to life and to make our arguments persuasive. My aim is to make students learn how interesting and gratifying the historian's craft truly is. I want them to take an active part rather than be passive recipients of knowledge. I find that students here are very receptive to that approach.
What do you like to do in your free time?\nI don't have much free time, but when I do, I like to hang out with my family. I love to play the electric guitar - rock, blues and a little jazz. I try to make a little time for it. I'm a better scholar when I make time for music. It helps stimulate my brain in a way that's fun and gratifying. I'm a big sports fan - I love the Redskins, [and] soccer. I keep up with U.Va. sports. My family loves to go to soccer and basketball games.
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