Acclaimed Civil War historian “Bud” Robertson at UVa-Wise Nov. 30

James I. “Bud” Robertson, Jr., Alumni Distinguished Professor at Virginia Tech and executive director of the Virginia Center for Civil War Studies, will present his talk “Virginia Prepares for War: April-June 1861” at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 30, in the Chapel of All Faiths at The University of Virginia’s College at Wise. The lecture is free and open to the public.

Robertson’s latest book is “Soldier of Southwest Virginia.” Copies of this recently released book and others by Robertson are available in the UVa-Wise Campus Bookstore. A book signing will follow the lecture.

Following the public lecture, Robertson will be a special guest at CVC History Night, which was founded in honor of the College’s early history faculty. CVC History Night is an annual fundraiser to support student scholarships and awards. The event, which begins at 6 p.m. in the C. Bascom Slemp Student Center, is open to all alumni who graduated with a degree in history.

Robertson has received every major award given in the field of Civil War history. He teaches the largest Civil War history class in America with an average enrollment of 250 students per semester. His interpretation and insight is sought around the country and he regularly appears in Civil War programs on The History Channel, the Arts & Entertainment Network, C-Span and public television. He also does a weekly Civil War program aired on eleven public radio stations. Robertson was a historical consultant for the 2003 film “Gods and Generals” produced by Turner Pictures/Warner Brothers.

He has authored several award-winning books including “General A.P. Hill,” “Soldiers Blue and Gray,” “Civil War!,” “America Becomes One Nation” and “Robert E. Lee: Virginian Soldier, American Citizen.” His 1997 biography, “Stonewall Jackson: The Man, The Soldier, The Legend,” won an unprecedented eight national awards.

A native of Danville, Robertson received his bachelor’s degree from Randolph-Macon College and his master’s and doctorate degrees from Emory University. In August, he was named a charter member of the Virginia Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission.

For more information, contact the Office of College Relations at 276-328-0130.

Posted November 14, 2006