University history professor John Neff dies

John Neff, a University of Mississippi associate professor of history, has died, according to a history department Facebook post from earlier today.

The university history department announced his death on Facebook, adding that details on his memorial will be shared to the page when available. 

“In the meantime, please keep John’s wife Kathy and their children in your thoughts,” the post read. 

He received the Outstanding Teacher Award and the Humanities Teacher of the Year in 2009, as well as the College of Liberal Arts Teacher of the Year in 2005. Neff wrote extensively about the Civil War, including Confederate symbols in public spaces. He was also a member of the Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on History and Context, which placed contextualization plaques around campus. 

Neff’s death has prompted an outpouring of support on social media. Historian Kevin Levin tweeted: “Horrible news for the Civil War community out of the University of Mississippi. Historian John Neff passed away. He was an incredibly talented historian and a really good guy. My thoughts go out to his family and friends.”