James I. Robertson Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James I. Robertson Jr.
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Bud Robertson in Lexington, Virginia, 2005
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| Born | July 18, 1930 Danville, Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | November 2, 2019 (aged 89) Richmond, Virginia, U.S. |
| Pen name | Bud Robertson |
| Occupation | Author, professor |
| Nationality | American |
| Period | 1963–2019 |
| Subject | American Civil War |
James Irvin "Bud" Robertson Jr. was a famous American historian. He taught about the American Civil War at Virginia Tech. He was born on July 18, 1930, and passed away on November 2, 2019.
Contents
Early Life and College Years
Bud Robertson grew up in Danville, Virginia. He was born there on July 18, 1930. He went to college at Randolph-Macon College and then to Emory University. He earned several degrees, including his PhD.
Teaching at Virginia Tech
Professor Robertson was known for being a great speaker. He taught thousands of students at Virginia Tech. From 1967 to 2011, he taught popular classes about the Civil War and the Reconstruction period. He was a special professor called the "Alumni Distinguished Professor in History."
His Work on the Civil War
Robertson was a top expert on the American Civil War. He helped start the Virginia Center for Civil War Studies. This center focuses on research and education about the war.
He was especially known for his knowledge of Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson. Jackson was a famous general for the Confederate side. Robertson was the main historical advisor for the 2003 movie Gods and Generals. This film featured Stonewall Jackson a lot. Robertson also served on the board of the Museum of the Confederacy in Richmond, Virginia.
Books by Bud Robertson
Bud Robertson wrote many books about the Civil War. He wrote 18 books himself and helped edit 18 more. Some of his award-winning books include:
- General A.P. Hill
- Soldiers Blue and Gray
- Civil War! America Becomes One Nation
His book Stonewall Jackson: The Man, The Soldier, The Legend won eight national awards. One of these was the American Library Association's Best Book for Young Readers Award.
Helping with Civil War Anniversaries
In 1961, President John F. Kennedy asked Robertson to lead a special committee. This committee was called the U.S. Civil War Centennial Commission. Its job was to plan how to remember 100 years since the war. It was a tough job because of different opinions across the country. Robertson worked well with many state and local groups to make the anniversary a success.
Fifty years later, he was also part of the Virginia Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission. This group planned events for the 150th anniversary of the war.
Other Historical Contributions
In 1963, Robertson helped plan President Kennedy's funeral. He researched how Abraham Lincoln's funeral was done. Kennedy's funeral was then planned in a similar way. Robertson used old newspapers like Frank Leslie's Weekly and Harper's Weekly to find details. These details helped make the East Room of the White House ready for the funeral.
In 2011, Robertson wrote and hosted a three-hour TV show. It was called "Virginia in the Civil War: A Sesquicentennial Remembrance." He worked with historian William C. "Jack" Davis on this show.
In 2016, Robertson received a special award called The Lincoln Forum's Richard Nelson Current Award of Achievement.
Sports and Athletics
Besides his history work, Bud Robertson was also involved in college sports. He worked for Virginia Tech with the NCAA. He was the Faculty Chairman of Athletics and President of the Virginia Tech Athletic Association from 1979 to 1991. His work helped Virginia Tech join the Big East athletic conference. In 2008, he was added to the Virginia Tech Sports Hall of Fame.
He also spent 16 years as a football referee for the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Selected Books
Here are some of the books Bud Robertson wrote:
- The Stonewall Brigade (1963)
- General A.P. Hill (1987)
- Soldiers, Blue and Gray (1988)
- Civil War! America Becomes One Nation (1992)
- Stonewall Jackson: The Man, The Soldier, The Legend (1997)
- Robert E. Lee: Virginian Soldier, American Citizen (2005)
He also edited these books:
- The Medical and Surgical History of the Civil War (1990–92)
- Civil War Echoes: Voices from Virginia, 1860–1891 (2016)
His Passing
James I. "Bud" Robertson Jr. passed away on November 2, 2019. He died in Richmond, Virginia, due to complications from cancer.
