Andrew Baker

Lecturer

Contact
Department of History
Office: Hardin Hall 023
Email: ahbaker@clemson.edu

Education
Ph.D., Auburn University (2020)

Research Interests
U.S. History; U.S. 1945-1975; U.S. since 1975; U.S. South; Political, Urban, Jewish, Economic/Business; Religion

Dr. Baker is a historian of the twentieth century United States and the American South. His research focuses on the post-1945 South and the intersection between politics, economic development, and religion. He is currently revising his dissertation which examined political and economic change in Greenville, South Carolina, an area sometimes known as “the Buckle of the Bible Belt,” into a book manuscript.

The project follows Greenville’s transition from a textile manufacturing center to a more diverse economy, its role in leading South Carolina’s transition from the Democratic to the Republican Party and political divides between city and county residents. He examines the role of business leaders, politicians, and institutions such as Bob Jones University in this process.

He is also interested in the role that Jewish southerners have played in regional politics particularly Max Heller, the former mayor of Greenville, South Carolina, who is credited with helping to revitalize the city. Baker’s work has been featured in Southern Jewish History and other publications. He completed a Jewish History Collections Fellowship at Emory University in Summer 2022.

Prior to coming to Clemson, Dr. Baker taught at Auburn University and Anderson University. He completed a B.A. and M.A. in History at Clemson.

Selected Professional Works

Journal Articles & Book Chapters (Published)

“Max Moses Heller: Jewish Mayor in the Sunbelt South,” Southern Jewish History (Vol. 25: 2022): 59-98.

Conference Presentations (Delivered)

“Greenville Textile Workers and Southern Republicanism: 1968-1996.” (Southern Labor Studies Association Conference, September 9, 2022)

“Max Heller’s Transatlantic Connections and the Palmetto State: 1979-1996” (Southern Jewish Historical Society 2022 Conference, October 22, 2022)