“The Outer Banks Gazetteer”- Upcoming Alumni Publication

The Department of Geography, Planning, and Environment is happy to highlight the upcoming book by alumnus Roger L. Payne (1969, 1972). His most recent book is due out on March 8, 2021 and is entitled “Outer Banks Gazetteer, The History of Place Names from Carova to Emerald Isle” published by the UNC Press. Esteemed geographer and cartographer Mark Monmonier (author of How to Lie with Maps) wrote about Mr. Payne and his most recent book: “Roger Payne can rightfully claim to be the expert on toponyms of the Outer Banks, and perhaps for the United States as a whole. Payne has created a historical geography of sorts that is organized by place names with a wealth of information about a variety of topics, such as whaling, shipping, real-estate development (past and recent), and military defense. Readers will appreciate Payne’s scholarship, rich in its mix of archival evidence and appreciation of local history.”

Roger L. Payne is a graduate of East Carolina University’s Department of Geography, Planning, and Environment. He completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Geography and History (1969) and a Master’s degree in 1972. His thesis was Number 12 and entitled: “An Analysis of Urban Development, Specialization and Functional Classification in the Republic of South Africa”. Mr. Payne has had a prestigious career in the Federal Government where most recently he was Executive Secretary of the U.S. Board on Geographic Names (1993 – 2006 now Emeritus). He is also the recipient of the U.S. Geological Survey’s Superior Service Award, five-time recipient of the outstanding achievement award, and has received several letters of commendation for his work in the government arena. He has been selected by the U.S. Geological Survey as a participant in several scientific and exchange programs including Antarctica (2000), China (1989), and Howard University (1985). Mr. Payne served as an adjunct professor at Old Dominion University, East Carolina University, George Mason University, George Washington University, Benjamin Franklin University, and Northern Virginia College. He was editor of The National Gazetteer of the United States (conventional and digital) from 1982 to 2006 and authored “Place Names of the Outer Banks of North Carolina” (1985).