Bruce Catton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bruce Catton
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Bruce Catton, c. 1960s.
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| Born | Charles Bruce Catton October 9, 1899 Petoskey, Michigan, U.S. |
| Died | August 28, 1978 (aged 78) Frankfort, Michigan, U.S. |
| Occupation | Journalist, author |
| Nationality | American |
| Period | 1948–1978 |
| Genre | History |
| Subject | American Civil War |
| Spouse | Hazel H. Cherry |
| Children | William Bruce Catton |
Charles Bruce Catton (born October 9, 1899 – died August 28, 1978) was an American writer and journalist. He is famous for his many books about the American Civil War. Catton was a "narrative historian." This means he told history like a story, with interesting people and small, exciting events. His books were always well-researched. He even won a big award, the Pulitzer Prize, in 1954. He won it for his book A Stillness at Appomattox, which was about the end of the Civil War in Virginia.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Bruce Catton was born in Petoskey, Michigan. He grew up in Benzonia, Michigan. His father was a minister and later became the headmaster of Benzonia Academy. As a boy, Catton loved listening to old soldiers. They told stories about fighting in the Civil War.
In 1916, Catton started college at Oberlin College. But he left before finishing his degree. This was because of World War I.
Journalism Career
After serving briefly in the United States Navy during World War I, Catton became a reporter. He worked for several newspapers. These included The Cleveland News and the Boston American. He also wrote for the Cleveland The Plain Dealer.
From 1926 to 1941, he worked for a news company called Newspaper Enterprise Association. He wrote articles and book reviews. He also worked as a reporter in Washington, D.C.. Catton tried to finish college twice. But his newspaper work kept him too busy. Oberlin College gave him an honorary degree in 1956.
Writing About History
When World War II started, Catton was too old to join the military. In 1941, he took a job helping the government. He worked for the War Production Board. He also worked for the United States Department of Commerce and the United States Department of the Interior.
His time working for the government helped him write his first book. It was called The War Lords Of Washington (1948). This book wasn't a huge hit. But it made Catton decide to become a full-time writer. In 1954, Catton became the first editor of a new magazine. It was called American Heritage.
The Army of the Potomac Trilogy
In the early 1950s, Catton wrote three books. They are known as the Army of the Potomac trilogy. These books tell the history of a famous Union army.
- Mr. Lincoln's Army (1951) was the first book. It covered the army's start and early battles.
- Glory Road (1952) was the second book. It continued the army's story through battles like Battle of Fredericksburg. It ended with the Battle of Gettysburg.
- A Stillness at Appomattox (1953) was the last book. It covered the final campaigns of Ulysses S. Grant. This book was very successful. It won the Pulitzer Prize for History. It also won a National Book Award for Nonfiction.
Centennial History of the Civil War
From 1961 to 1965, the 100th anniversary of the Civil War was celebrated. Catton wrote another three-book series for this event. These books looked at more than just battles. They also covered how the war affected society, money, and politics.
- The Coming Fury (1961) talked about why the war started. It ended with the First Battle of Bull Run.
- Terrible Swift Sword (1963) showed how both sides prepared for a huge war. It covered events through 1862.
- Never Call Retreat (1965) continued the story. It included battles like Vicksburg and Gettysburg. It ended with the war's final surrender.
Ulysses S. Grant Trilogy
Catton also wrote two books about the famous general, Ulysses S. Grant. These books continued a series started by another historian, Lloyd Lewis.
- In Grant Moves South (1960), Catton wrote about Grant's growing skills as a military leader. It covered his victories at Battle of Fort Henry and Battle of Fort Donelson. It also included the Battle of Shiloh and the Vicksburg Campaign.
- In Grant Takes Command (1969), Catton wrote about Grant's career from the Battle of Chattanooga (1863). It ended with his campaigns against Robert E. Lee and the end of the war.
Other Civil War Books
Catton wrote many other books about the Civil War.
- U. S. Grant and the American Military Tradition (1954) is a great short book about General Grant.
- Banners at Shenandoah: A Story of Sheridan's Fighting Cavalry (1955) was written for young people. It's about Union cavalry commander Philip Sheridan.
- This Hallowed Ground (1956) told the story of the war from the Union side. Many people thought it was the best single book about the Civil War.
- The American Heritage Picture History of the Civil War (1960) had over 800 pictures. Catton wrote the story that went with them. This book won a special Pulitzer Prize award.
- Two Roads to Sumter (1963) was written with his son, William. It looked at the 15 years before the war. It showed the viewpoints of Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis.
Other Books
Besides Civil War history, Catton wrote other books:
- The War Lords Of Washington (1948) was about Washington, D.C., during World War II.
- Four Days: The Historical Record Of The Death Of President Kennedy (1964) was about the John F. Kennedy assassination.
- Waiting for the Morning Train (1972) was about his own childhood in Michigan.
Personal Life
Bruce Catton married Hazel H. Cherry in 1925. They had a son named William Bruce Catton in 1926. William became a history professor at Princeton University and Middlebury College.
Death and Legacy
Bruce Catton passed away in 1978 near his summer home in Frankfort, Michigan. He was buried in Benzonia Township Cemetery.
In 1977, the year before he died, Catton received a very important award. It was the Presidential Medal of Freedom. President Gerald R. Ford gave him this award. He said Catton "made us hear the sounds of battle and cherish peace."
Many historians wrote about the Civil War. But Catton was one of the most popular and wrote the most books.
The Civil War Documentary
The famous TV show The Civil War by Ken Burns used Catton's books. This made more people interested in his histories.
Bruce Catton Prize
Since 1984, there has been a special award called the Bruce Catton Prize. It honors historians who have written many great books. It is named after Bruce Catton because he was such an important historian.
Works
Nonfiction Books
- The War Lords of Washington. 1948.
- U.S. Grant and the American Military Tradition. 1954.
- This Hallowed Ground. 1956.
- America Goes to War. 1958.
- The American Heritage Picture History of the Civil War. 1960.
- The American Heritage Short History of the Civil War. 1960.
- Four Days: The Historical Record Of The Death Of President Kennedy. 1964.
- Waiting for the Morning Train. 1972.
- Gettysburg: The Final Fury. 1974.
- Michigan: A Bicentennial History. 1976.
Army of the Potomac Trilogy
- Mr. Lincoln's Army. 1951.
- Glory Road. 1952.
- A Stillness at Appomattox. 1953.
Centennial History of the Civil War
- The Coming Fury. 1961.
- Terrible Swift Sword. 1963.
- Never Call Retreat. 1965.
Ulysses S. Grant Trilogy
- Grant Moves South. 1960.
- Grant Takes Command. 1969.
Books with William Catton
- Two Roads to Sumter. 1963.
- The Bold & Magnificent Dream: America's Founding Years, 1492–1815. 1978.
Fiction
- Banners at Shenandoah: A Story of Sheridan's Fighting Cavalry. 1955.
Honors and Awards
- 1954 National Book Award for Nonfiction for A Stillness at Appomattox
- 1954 Pulitzer Prize for History for A Stillness at Appomattox
- 1959 Meritorious Service Award in the Field of Civil War History, from Harry S. Truman
- 1977 Presidential Medal of Freedom, from Gerald R. Ford
- From 1956 to 1978, Catton received 26 honorary degrees from colleges.
