David Gaffney Sansing (June 15, 1933 – July 6, 2019)[1] was a history professor and author in Mississippi who wrote extensively about the state's history. He was a professor emeritus at the University of Mississippi at the time of his death.[2][3][4]
Sansing was born in Greenville, Mississippi, and served in the Army during the Korean War. Upon his return, he received his bachelor's and master's degrees from Mississippi College and his PhD froom the University of Southern Mississippi.[3] He was hired at Ole Miss in 1970. He wrote about various aspects of the state's history.[5] Among his books is The University of Mississippi: A Sesquicentennial History, considered to be the definitive history of the university. It was published for the school's sesquicentennial.[6][4]
Sansing died on July 6, 2019, at a hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, following a fall at home.[2]