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James "Bud" Robertson |
10/26/11
Noted Civil War historian and Randolph-Macon College alumnus James “Bud” Robertson Jr. ’55 has donated an extensive book collection to the college. The James I. Robertston Jr. Class of 1955 Civil War Collection is a tremendous addition to the
McGraw-Page Library, according to Director Ginger Young.
“I am thrilled that we get to share the fine Civil War collection built by Dr. Robertson,”says Young. “These books add depth to our collection in a specific subject area, much as the gift by Dr. Emory G. Evans, Class of 1950, added to our holdings of colonial American history. We are fortunate to benefit from the generosity of our alumni.”
R-MC President Robert R. Lindgren says, “We offer our deepest appreciation for this marvelous and most generous collection. This is the ultimate gift: It will provide resources for generations of students, and it is tangible evidence of Bud Robertson’s affection for and devotion to his alma mater. We are truly grateful for this unique gift.”
Robertson, who was R-MC's 2011 commencement speaker, is the recipient of every major award given in the Civil War field. His biography of General “Stonewall” Jackson,
Stonewall Jackson: The Man, The Soldier, The Legend (Macmillan,1997), won eight national awards and was used as the basis for the mega-movie “Gods and Generals.” Robertson served as the chief historical consultant for the film. He has authored or edited more than 20 books, including
Civil War! America Becomes One Nation,
General A.P. Hill, and
Soldiers Blue and Gray. Robertson is the Alumni Distinguished Professor of History in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences at Virginia Tech. In June 2011 he was conferred the Alumni Distinguished Professor Emeritus title by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors. In addition, he was founding executive director of the Virginia Center for Civil War Studies.
Born in Danville, Virginia, Robertson earned a bachelor’s degree in
history from Randolph-Macon College in 1955 and master’s and doctoral degrees from Emory University. In 1980, he was awarded the Honorary Degree Doctor of Letters from R-MC. He has also received an honorary degree from Shenandoah University.
Robertson’s latest book is
Untold Civil War: Exploring the Human Side of War (National Geographic, 2011).