Edward A. Pollard facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Edward A. Pollard
Born	Edward Alfred Pollard (1832-02-27)February 27, 1832 Nelson County, Virginia, U.S.
Died	December 17, 1872(1872-12-17) (aged 40) Lynchburg, Virginia, U.S.
Education	University of Virginia College of William and Mary
Occupation	Writer
Political party	Democratic
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Edward Alfred Pollard (1832–1872) was an American writer and journalist. He lived during the time of the American Civil War. Pollard supported the Confederate South. He wrote several books about the war. His most famous books were The Lost Cause (1866) and The Lost Cause Regained (1868). In these books, he shared ideas about why the South fought. These ideas became known as the "Lost Cause."

After the war, Pollard's books shared his views. He wrote that the South was noble and different from the North. He also wrote about the idea of "state sovereignty." This meant states should have more power than the federal government. Pollard's ideas changed over time. He tried to make his old beliefs fit with new times.

Early Life and Education

Edward Alfred Pollard was born on February 27, 1832. His family lived on the Oak Ridge Plantation in Nelson County, Virginia. His grandfather, Robert Rives, built this plantation. Edward's mother, Paulina Cabell Rives Pollard, came from a well-known family.

Edward received a good private education. He then went to the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia. He graduated from there in 1849. He also studied law at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. He later studied law in Baltimore. He was allowed to practice law, but he chose a different path.

Pollard's Career as a Writer

Pollard did not become a lawyer. Instead, he traveled to California. There, he worked for a newspaper until 1855. His experiences in California helped shape his views. He believed that societies without slavery were too competitive.

From 1857 to 1861, Pollard worked in Washington D.C. He was a clerk for a committee in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Journalism During the Civil War

During the American Civil War, Pollard became a main editor. He worked for the Richmond Examiner newspaper. This newspaper supported the Confederate States of America. However, it often disagreed with Jefferson Davis, the Confederate President.

In 1864, Pollard tried to sail to England. But his ship was caught by Union forces. He was held as a prisoner at Fort Warren in Boston Harbor. He was later released. He was captured again and held at Fort Monroe. He was soon released again by General Benjamin Butler.

Pollard's Books and Changing Views

Pollard wrote many books. In 1859, he wrote Black Diamonds Gathered in the Darkey Homes of the South. In this book, he supported the idea of bringing back the slave trade. He also disagreed with the idea that slavery would slowly end.

After Union forces took over Richmond in 1865, Pollard was arrested. He had continued to publish writings that supported the Confederacy. He also wrote against the end of slavery.

In 1866, Pollard published his most famous book. It was called The Lost Cause: A New Southern History of the War of the Confederates. This book said the war was between "two nations" with different ways of life. He wrote that the South had a "feudal" society based on slavery. He believed this made the South's culture special and noble.

Pollard's opinions continued to change over time. By the late 1860s, he started to think differently. He began to see the Civil War as a fight over the U.S. Constitution. He also started to support President Andrew Johnson.

In 1868, Pollard wrote The Lost Cause Regained. In this book, he said that white people should have more power. He also wrote that President Johnson's plans were right. He no longer supported Jefferson Davis. Instead, he criticized Davis for being ineffective.

Pollard also edited a weekly newspaper in Richmond, Virginia. This was from 1867 to 1869. He also managed a political paper during the 1868 presidential election.

By the early 1870s, Pollard's views changed even more. He wrote in favor of Northern business ideas. He also supported some civil rights laws. He even supported black people being able to vote. He was against the Ku Klux Klan. Shortly before he died, he wrote that slavery had "completed its historic mission." He felt it would have been wrong to continue it.

Death

Edward Pollard died on December 17, 1872, in Lynchburg, Virginia. He was 40 years old. He was buried in his family's cemetery. This cemetery was on the Oakridge Plantation. After his death, other people continued to promote the "Lost Cause" ideas. These included General Jubal Early and Senator John W. Daniel.

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