Atlanta, Ga., May 26, 2015 - Dr. W. Todd Groce, President and CEO of the Georgia Historical Society, has announced that renowned Civil War scholar Dr. Gary Gallagher, will be honored as a Georgia Historical Society Distinguished Fellow at the 176th Annual Meeting of The Society in Savannah on May 28 and will deliver the keynote address. The keynote is presented by the UVaClub of Savannah.
“We are pleased to name Dr. Gary Gallagher as the Georgia Historical Society’s Distinguished Fellow for his outstanding contributions to the study of history as an author and member of the academy,” said Groce. “His years of dedicated scholarship on the American Civil War have created a lasting legacy that will continue to influence future generations of historians.”
The Georgia Historical Society Distinguished Fellow Program is an honorary membership bestowed annually for exceptional achievement in the field of scholarly historical research and in recognition of signal service to the Georgia Historical Society. Selection as a Distinguished Fellow is based entirely on merit and is therefore the highest level of membership offered by the Georgia Historical Society. Individuals designated as Distinguished Fellows of the Society are national leaders in the field of history as both writers and educators whose research has enhanced or changed the way the public understands the past. In addition to their outstanding scholarship, Distinguished Fellows have served the institution as faculty in teacher-training seminars, as lecturers, as consultants, or in a similar capacity. Being designated as a Distinguished Fellow recognizes and formalizes the relationship forged through this service. In 2014, GHS named Dr. Edward L. Ayers, American historian, professor, administrator, and ninth president of the University of Richmond the Distinguished Fellow.
Dr. Gallagher is the John L. Nau Professor in the History of the American Civil War at the University of Virginia and the recipient of many awards including the Tom Watson Brown Book Prize for the best book on the Civil War, presented by the Society of Civil War Historians, and the Shelby Foote Preservation Legacy Award from the Civil War Trust.
The topic of Dr. Gallagher’s keynote, "The Civil War in Recent Films: How Hollywood Shapes What We Know," is based on his book, Causes Won, Lost, and Forgotten. Gallagher will explore how films like Gone with the Wind, Glory and Cold Mountain have presented—and distorted—the history of the Civil War.
“The Georgia Historical Society is grateful to the UVaClub of Savannah for their involvement in bringing Dr. Gallagher to Savannah for the Georgia Historical Society Annual Meeting,” added Groce. “We are fortunate to have so many outstanding alumni in our city.”
Dr. Gallagher’s books include The Lens of War: Exploring Iconic Photographs of the Civil War; Becoming Confederates: Paths to a New National Loyalty; The Union War; Causes Won, Lost, and Forgotten: How Hollywood and Popular Art Shape What We Know about the Civil War; Lee and His Army in Confederate History, Lee and His Generals in War and Memory, and The Confederate War.
The Annual Meeting of the Georgia Historical Society will be held May 28 at 6:00 p.m. at Christ Church Episcopal in Savannah and is free and open to the public. A reception and book signing with Dr. Gallagher will take place at 5:00 p.m. in the Undercroft of Christ Church. Reservations are required for the reception but not for the Annual Meeting and lecture. Visit georgiahistory.com for more information.
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