Lorelle D. Semley

Lorelle D. Semley is an American historian, acclaimed author, and a professor of African American studies and history at the College of William and Mary. Born and raised in the United States, Professor Semley has made extraordinary contributions to the field of history, with a particular focus on the exploration of race, gender and social inequality.

Professor Semley is an accomplished author, having written numerous books on African American history, including To Be Free and Frenchmen: The Immigration Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite. Her groundbreaking work, The Motherland Calls: Britain’s Black Servicemen and Women, 1939-1945, is a masterpiece in the field of military history, shedding light on the experiences of black Britons during World War II.

Professor Semley’s research has given voice to those who were often marginalized from the pages of history, providing a richer and more diverse perspective on the past. Her work has been recognized with numerous awards, including the prestigious Weber-Clements Book Prize in 2021, and the Lillian Smith Book Award in 2019.

Over the years, Professor Semley has been an active and respected member of the academic community, having served as a distinguished lecturer for the Organization of American Historians. She has also been a featured guest on numerous television and radio programs, including NPR’s “The Takeaway,” and “BBC’s Newshour.”

In addition to her remarkable contributions to the field of history, Professor Semley is a dedicated mentor and teacher, inspiring countless students to pursue careers in academia. Her intellectual curiosity, commitment to diversity, and passion for history have made her one of the most respected and influential historians in the United States today.