History

Faculty Accomplishments

Kudos to Dr. Walker Blanton, professor of history, who was the Rotary of Arlington's speaker on January 24, 2008 at the Frances Bartlett Kinne Center on campus. Blanton spoke on General Nathan Bedford Forrest (1821-1877), one of the leading cavalry figures of the Civil War. Two days later, he spoke to the Kirby Smith Chapter of the Sons of Confederate Veterans during their annual Robert E. Lee and Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson birthday celebrations at the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry in Jacksonville.

In addition, Blanton spoke at the Civil War Roundtable (CWRT) of Coastal Georgia on October 23, 2007 in Brunswick, Ga. His subject was “Olustee: Florida’s Largest Civil War Battle.” In addition, Blanton gave a presentation on the battle to students selected for the Joe Berg seminar at the Museum of Science and History on February 8, 2007.

This was Blanton’s second trip to the CWRT of Coastal Georgia. On May 22, 2007, he spoke about the Confederate Army General Nathan Bedford Forrest and the controversy surrounding the renaming of Forrest High School in Jacksonville. Blanton addressed the Duval County School Board twice concerning the issue.

On March 1, 2007, Blanton hosted a free seminar at JU for the National Wild Turkey Federation to benefit turkey hunters.

In 2006, Blanton gave a presentation about James Alexander Walker, commander of the Stonewall Brigade and Blanton’s great, great uncle, to the Military Order of Stars and Bars at the Yacht Club. The same month, he spoke at the Museum of Southern History. His topic was how to teach about the Civil War.