This 1910 study of sectionalism in Virginia illustrates how the east and west of Virginia were destined to separate into two states. Barbara Rasmussen, professor of Public History and Director of Cultural Resource Management at West Virginia University writes a new introduction to Sectionalism in Virginia, setting Ambler’s classic grand achievement into the context of its production by creating an historical process for studying West Virginia history.

Charles H. Ambler was born in Ohio on August 12, 1876. Throughout his life he lived in Pleasants County, West Virginia, where he was sheriff from 1900 to 1901. He also lived in Ashland, Virginia, and Morgantown, West Virginia. While living in Morgantown, Ambler was a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates from 1951 to 1954. He was also a member of the Freemasons, Maccabees, Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma Nu, and Tau Kappa Alpha.