Douglas Southall Freeman

Date of Birth: May 16, 1886

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Date of Death: June 13, 1953

Biography

Douglas Southall Freeman was an American historian, biographer, and journalist, renowned for his comprehensive works on the American Civil War and his biographies of prominent Confederate figures. Born in Lynchburg, Virginia, Freeman developed an early fascination with the Civil War, undoubtedly influenced by his father, who had served in the Confederate Army. He attended Richmond College and later earned a Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University, where he honed his skills in research and writing. Freeman’s most notable works include his multi-volume biographies of Robert E. Lee and George Washington. “R.E. Lee: A Biography,” which spanned four volumes, earned him the Pulitzer Prize for Biography in 1935. His seven-volume biography of George Washington also garnered critical acclaim and another Pulitzer Prize in 1958. Freeman’s meticulous research and engaging narrative style set a high standard for historical biographies. In addition to his writing, Freeman served as the editor of the Richmond News Leader, where he was known for his editorials and commentary on contemporary issues. His ability to balance a career in journalism with his historical writing is a testament to his prodigious work ethic and intellectual curiosity.

5 Interesting Facts about Douglas Southall Freeman

1. **Pulitzer Prize Winner**: Freeman won the Pulitzer Prize for Biography twice, once for his biography of Robert E. Lee in 1935 and again posthumously for his biography of George Washington in 1958.

2. **Military Historian**: He wrote a three-volume series on the high command of the Army of the Potomac, titled “Lee’s Lieutenants,” which remains a seminal work in Civil War military history.

3. **Rapid Production**: Freeman was known for his disciplined writing schedule, often rising at 2:30 AM to write before heading to his editorial job.

4. **Radio Commentator**: In addition to his writing and editorial work, Freeman was a popular radio commentator during the 1930s and 1940s.

5. **Influential Educator**: Freeman’s works have been used extensively in military education and training, particularly at institutions like West Point.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Douglas Southall Freeman

1. “History is the study of the world’s memory, and it is as essential to a nation as memory is to an individual.”

2. “No study is more important in our national history than the study of Robert E. Lee.”

3. “A good historian is like a detective, piecing together the past from the fragments left behind.”

4. “In understanding the past, we gain the wisdom to navigate the future.”

5. “The measure of a great leader is his ability to inspire those he leads to achieve greatness themselves.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Freeman’s exact net worth during his lifetime is not well-documented, but his substantial earnings from his Pulitzer Prize-winning books, journalism career, and radio commentaries suggest he was comfortably affluent.

Children

Douglas Southall Freeman had two children: Anne Freeman and Mary Tyler Freeman. His daughters carried on his legacy of intellectual achievement and public service.