Princeton history professor James McPherson has been chosen as the speaker for this year's Baccalaureate, the interfaith worship service that is one of Princeton's oldest traditions. The ceremony is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday, May 30.
McPherson, the George Henry Davis '86 Professor of American History, is widely known as a pre-eminent Civil War scholar. His best-selling book, "Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era," won the Pulitzer Prize in history in 1989. Legendary for his intellectual generosity, McPherson has shared his knowledge through courses in the history department that are consistently oversubscribed as well as through field trips to Civil War battle sites that draw large numbers of students and alumni. He plans to retire at the end of this academic year after serving on the Princeton faculty since 1962.
President Shirley M. Tilghman selects the Baccalaureate speaker after consultation with senior class leaders.
"I am both excited and extremely honored that Professor McPherson has chosen to accept President Tilghman's invitation to speak at Baccalaureate 2004," said Eli Goldsmith, president of the senior class. "As my classmates and I leave Princeton and begin to plot out our futures, I believe there can be no greater guide in such a quest than the lessons of history. Thus, I believe there are few individuals more qualified to share their wisdom with the class of 2004 than Professor James McPherson, who has proven to be one of the most celebrated and accomplished historical scholars of our time."
More details are available in a news release.
Contact: Lauren Robinson-Brown (609) 258-3601