Location: 200 W. Jefferson St. in Jackson
County: Northampton
Original Date Cast: 2025
Mebane Holoman Burgwyn (1914–1992) was a pioneering North Carolina author and educator whose work bridged the worlds of children’s literature, public education, and civil rights advocacy. Born in Rich Square, North Carolina, Burgwyn graduated from Woman’s College (now the University of North Carolina at Greensboro) in 1935 with a degree in primary education. She later earned a master’s degree in guidance and counseling from East Carolina University in 1961. Her professional life was rooted in rural Northampton County, where she lived on a farm near Jackson and served as Director of Guidance Services for the county’s public schools.
Burgwyn authored seven books for young readers, many of which drew from her experiences in rural North Carolina. Her writing was celebrated for its authenticity and emotional depth, particularly in its portrayal of African American youth during the era of school integration. Her 1969 novel, The Crackajack Pony, was written with the explicit intention of helping white children understand the trauma and prejudice faced by Black students in the South. This work, along with her earlier novel Penny Rose (1952), earned her the American Association of University Women’s award for best juvenile book of the year. This honor she received twice, nearly two decades apart.
What distinguished Burgwyn’s literary contributions was her commitment to representing African American characters with dignity and realism, a rarity among white Southern authors of her time. Living in the historically Black rural community of Occoneechee Neck, she was uniquely positioned to observe and reflect on the lived experiences of her neighbors. Her work offered a counter-narrative to prevailing stereotypes and helped foster empathy and understanding among young readers across racial lines.
Beyond her literary achievements, Burgwyn was a dedicated advocate for higher education in North Carolina. She served on the Board of Trustees at both the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1955–1971) and East Carolina University (1973–1981), where she also held the role of board secretary. During her tenure at UNC-Chapel Hill, she participated in the Committee to Restructure Higher Education in North Carolina, which led to the formation of the modern University of North Carolina System in 1971. Her leadership during this transformative period reflected her deep commitment to educational access and institutional reform.
Burgwyn’s influence extended beyond the classroom and the printed page. Her books were reviewed in national publications such as The New York Times and The Chicago Sunday Tribune, and she was a frequent speaker at literary events and civic gatherings across the country. Her dual legacy as an author and educational leader underscores her lifelong dedication to equity, learning, and the power of storytelling.
Mebane H. Burgwyn’s life and work exemplify the intersection of literature, education, and social justice. Through her writing and public service, she contributed meaningfully to the cultural and educational fabric of North Carolina.
References
Davis, Sarah W. “‘[Her] Destiny Lay in the Land’: An Overview of the Literature of Mebane Holoman Burgwyn.” North Carolina Literary Review, no. 15 (June 2006): 24+. Gale Literature Resource Center.
Mebane Holoman Burgwyn Papers. Martha Blakeney Hodges Special Collections and University Archives, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, NC, USA.
The News and Observer. “Mebane H. Burgwyn Obituary.” August 17, 1992.