Ramsey County Law Library Blog

As Black History Month comes to an end, it is the high honor of the Ramsey County Law Library to recognize Dr. William D. Green for his scholarly research and captivating publications about Minnesota African American history.  The winner of two Hognander Awards, Dr. Green has published many works that describe nineteenth and early twentieth century events and individuals that highlight Minnesota’s African American heritage.  The two books that received the Hognander award are The Children of Lincoln: White Paternalism and the Limits of Black Opportunity in Minnesota 1860-1876and Degrees of Freedom: The Origins of Civil Rights in Minnesota, 1865-1912. The esteemed Hognander award is given biennially as part of the Minnesota Book Awards.  The award is supported by the Hognander Family Foundation, and it recognizes and celebrates the most outstanding scholarly work about Minnesota history published in the previous two years.

Dr. Green also showcases his scholarly endeavors through his fascinating, live storytelling. The law library collaborated with the Ramsey County Bar Association in October 2020 to present Dr. Green’s program about Nellie Francis, featuring his remarkable story of an African American suffragette. The October virtual program was attended by hundreds of attorneys. Dr. Green not only drew from his expansive research about Ms. Francis, but he also provided an enthralling tale through his palpable regard for Ms. Francis and her accomplished life.  Nellie Francis: Fighting for Racial Justice and Women’s Equality in Minnesota was published in January 2021.

In addition to Dr. Green’s books listed above, the law library also has A Peculiar Imbalance: The Rise and Fall of Racial Equality in Early Minnesota available for loan.  However, his research, scholarship, and published work goes far beyond the titles mentioned here.  For Minnesotans and readers around the U.S., Dr. Green’s contributions to African American history and research are a gift for all.