Douglas S. Freeman

Douglas Southall Freeman, (May 16, 1886 – June 13, 1953), was an American journalist and historian. He was the author of definitive biographies of George Washington and Confederate General Robert E. Lee.

Biography

Early years

Freeman was born in Lynchburg, Virginia, the son of a Confederate soldier during the American Civil War. His father was Walker Garland Freeman and his mother was Bettie Hamner. He did his undergraduate work at Richmond College where he joined the Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta. He received his Ph.D. in history from Johns Hopkins University at the age of 22.

Career

A long-time resident of Richmond, Virginia, Dr. Freeman served as editor of the "Richmond News Leader" from 1915 to 1949. However, it was his work as a historian and biographer that earned greatest recognition.

He won Pulitzer Prizes for two of his books, his four-volume biography of Robert E. Lee, and his seven-volume biography of George Washington (a seventh volume "First in Peace" was written after Freeman's death by J. A. Carroll and M. W. Ashworth, two of his historical associates). He was also the author of the three-volume "Lee's Lieutenants: A Study in Command".

Freeman's treatments of the American Civil War are often cited as examples of the Lost Cause movement, emphasizing the glory and nobility of the Southern generals and the futility of their fight against the power of the North. While Freeman certainly does emphasize the nobility of Lee's character, he does not say that Lee made no mistakes, nor does he say that the North only won because of superior numbers. For instance, this passage shows Lee misjudging his real opponent, and also expresses admiration for Abraham Lincoln's character: [Freeman, "R.E. Lee", volume III, p. 264]

Honors

*Douglas S. Freeman High School in Henrico County, Virginia, in Richmond's West End, was named in his honor, as is Freeman Hall at the University of Richmond.

*Freeman is commemorated by Virginia Historical Highway Marker Q6 17, which is located in the independent city of Lynchburg, Virginia, near his place of birth.

References

Further reading

* Cheek, Mary Tyler Freeman. "Reflections," "HANNAH IS SUCH A CUTIE!"1986 94(1): 25-39. ISSN 0042-6636. Freeman's daughter reflects on his career as a writer, college professor, and radio personality in Virginia. Describes Freeman's research and writing methods and his politics, religion, and ethics.
*David E. Johnson. "Douglas Southall Freeman" (2002). 480 ISBN 1-58980-021-4 full-scale biography
* Smith, Stuart W. "Douglas Southall Freeman on Leadership." White Mane, 1993. 262 pp.
* Freeman, Douglas S., [http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Gazetteer/People/Robert_E_Lee/FREREL/home.html "R. E. Lee, A Biography"] (4 volumes), Scribners, 1934.

External links

* [http://xroads.virginia.edu/~MA04/kane/thesis/dsfmarker.htm Virginia Historical Highway Marker for Douglas Southall Freeman]
* [http://www.henrico.k12.va.us/HS/Freeman/ Douglas Southall Freeman High School webpage]
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