John F. Marszalek
John F. Marszalek was born in Buffalo, New York. He began his higher education journey at Canisius College where he earned a bachelor's degree in 1961. The young scholar then moved to the University of Notre Dame for graduate studies. He completed his Master's Degree there in 1963 before earning his Ph.D. in 1968. This academic foundation prepared him for decades of teaching and research ahead.
Marszalek taught at Canisius College and Gannon University during the early part of his professional life. He eventually settled at Mississippi State University for the remainder of his career. After twenty-nine years as a professor, he retired in 2002 to become Professor Emeritus. In 1994 he received the title of William L. Giles Distinguished Professor. From 1998 to 2012 he also served as Director of the Mississippi State University Distinguished Undergraduate Scholars Program.
The death of John Y. Simon in July 2008 marked a turning point for the Ulysses S. Grant Association. Marszalek stepped into the role of Executive Director and Managing Editor of The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant project. He was instrumental in moving Grant's papers from Southern Illinois University Carbondale to Mississippi State University. Anne Marshall took over as his replacement in 2022. Upon her appointment, Marszalek was named Executive Director Emeritus of the association.
Over the course of his career Marszalek published more than three hundred articles and book reviews. He wrote or edited thirteen books during this period. His research primarily focused on American Civil War generals including Ulysses S. Grant, William T. Sherman, and Henry Halleck. He also wrote about local Mississippi history and racial conflict at West Point. The Eaton affair formed another part of his scholarly output alongside these major figures.
His book Sherman: A Soldier's Passion for Order became a finalist for the 1993 Lincoln Prize. The Mississippi Historical Society awarded him the Richard Wright Literary Award for lifetime achievement by a Mississippi author. They also gave him the B.L.C. Wailes Award for national distinction in history which is their highest honor. On the 13th of April 2018 Marszalek won the Nevins-Freeman Award from The Civil War Round Table of Chicago. This award represents the most prestigious honor given by that organization.
Showtime produced a motion picture called Assault at West Point: The Court-Martial of Johnson Whittaker based on Marszalek's book Court Martial: A Black Man in America. That original book was published by Scribner in New York in 1972. It later appeared as Assault at West Point through Collier Books in 1994. His bibliography includes works like The Diary of Miss Emma Holmes edited in 1979 and Sherman's March to the Sea published in 2005. He co-edited The Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant with David S. Nolen and Louie P. Gallo in 2017.
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Common questions
Where was John F. Marszalek born and what degrees did he earn?
John F. Marszalek was born in Buffalo, New York. He earned a bachelor's degree from Canisius College in 1961, a Master's Degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1963, and his Ph.D. from the same university in 1968.
When did John F. Marszalek retire from Mississippi State University?
John F. Marszalek retired after twenty-nine years as a professor in 2002 to become Professor Emeritus at Mississippi State University. He previously served as Director of the Distinguished Undergraduate Scholars Program from 1998 until 2012.
Who replaced John F. Marszalek as Executive Director of the Ulysses S. Grant Association?
Anne Marshall took over as the replacement for John F. Marszalek in 2022. Upon her appointment, Marszalek was named Executive Director Emeritus of the association following the death of John Y. Simon in July 2008.
What awards has John F. Marszalek received for his historical writing?
John F. Marszalek won the Nevins-Freeman Award on the 13th of April 2018 from The Civil War Round Table of Chicago. He also received the Richard Wright Literary Award and the B.L.C. Wailes Award from the Mississippi Historical Society.
Which books did John F. Marszalek write about American Civil War generals?
John F. Marszalek wrote or edited thirteen books focusing on figures such as Ulysses S. Grant, William T. Sherman, and Henry Halleck. His notable works include Sherman: A Soldier's Passion for Order published in 1972 and Sherman's March to the Sea published in 2005.
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10 references cited across the entry
- 5webJohn F. Marszalek8 December 2021
- 8inlineApril 2018 CWRT Meeting
- 10webOfficers