Fawell to Explore Imperial History in Sherman Lecture

UNCW’s Department of History will host historian Charles Begue Fawell, visiting assistant professor at Williams College, as the 24th annual Sherman Emerging Scholar Lecturer this fall. 

Fawell will deliver the Sherman Lecture on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. in the Warwick Ballroom. The following day, Thursday, Oct. 16, he will join faculty and students for the Sherman Roundtable Discussion at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. 

Specializing in global imperial history, modern Europe and the history of travel, Fawell is completing his first book, Empire on the Line, which examines the rise and fall of French colonialism through the maritime corridors that linked Europe, Asia and Africa in the 19th and 20th centuries. His award-winning research highlights the Indo-Pacific region as a vital crossroads of economic and strategic influence. 

“It's a true honor to be picked to give the annual Sherman Lecture. At a time when higher education is under so much pressure, I am deeply grateful to people like the Sherman family, who value historical research and support junior scholars. We need more conversations between academics and the broader public, so it’s a privilege to have access to this platform,” said Fawell. 

Taylor Fain, chair of the history department, emphasized the significance of this year’s event.  

“We are delighted to welcome Charles Fawell as the Department of History’s 24th annual Sherman Emerging Scholar Lecturer. His presentation promises to illuminate the history of an economically and strategically vital region of the world,” said Fain. “We should note that this is the first Sherman Lecture since the passing of the event's benefactor, Philip Sherman, and we look forward to continuing in his honor an important university tradition that he made possible.” 

The Sherman Lecture Series, established through the generosity of the late Philip Sherman, brings emerging scholars to UNCW to share their research with the campus and community, fostering dialogue on history’s enduring role in shaping global understanding.