Civil War scholar will speak on Lincoln's ability to overcome his lack of military experience to succeed as a wartime commander in chief

March 2, 2009

Pulitzer Prize-winning author James M. McPherson will discuss Abraham Lincoln's steep learning curve as a wartime president in "Tried by War: Lincoln as Commander in Chief," March 12, 7 p.m. at University of Richmond's Jepson Alumni Center.

McPherson will detail Lincoln's mastery of the political and economic implications of the Civil War despite his limited military training and knowledge, as well as his skillful use of military resources and strategies to save the Union.

McPherson is professor of history emeritus at Princeton University. His book—with the same title as his lecture—recently won the coveted Lincoln Prize and he previously won the Pulitzer for his bestseller, "Battle Cry of Freedom." McPherson has written dozens of books and worked on film projects that paved the way for the films "Glory" and "Gettysburg," and the television documentary "The Civil War" by Ken Burns.

The sold-out event is part of the Jepson Leadership Forum's 2008–09 season, focused on Abraham Lincoln's Legacy of Leadership in recognition of Lincoln's 200th birthday.

McPherson also will participate in a panel discussion at the "Lincoln and the South" conference cosponsored by the university, March 14, 9:30 a.m., at the American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar.