History Department, East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina
Twelve years background as a trial lawyer and prosecutor, give Dr. Long a somewhat unique perspective on Lincoln among the community of scholars who have written about the sixteenth president. He understands the meaning of what it is to “think like a lawyer” and to understand Lincoln one must be able to understand that the man’s career had been in advocacy, and that he was able to serve that role from either side of the bar.
Long practiced law for twelve years, before returning to graduate school in 1987 at Florida State University. There he earned his M.A. and Ph.D. in nineteenth century American history, and almost immediately published his dissertation The Jewel of Liberty: Abraham Lincoln’s Re-election and the End of Slavery. The book was nominated for the five of the most prestigious prizes in the field of U.S. history including the Pulitzer Prize. This work is generally accepted as the definitive work on the 1864 presidential election.
Long has played a key role in the creation of the Lincoln Forum, and was primarily responsible for bringing to light the Soldiers' Home residence in Washington, D.C. where Lincoln and his family lived during the summers of 1862-64. He is currently close to publication of two books, one about Lincoln’s first election in 1860, and the other about a controversial cavalry raid on Richmond in 1864 that involved Lincoln in an attempt to assassinate Jefferson Davis.
Contact Information:
Telephone: (252) 355-8166 or (252):328-6956
Fax: (252) 328-6774
Mailing Address:
Dr. David E. Long
East Carolina University
History Department, Brewster Building
Greenville, NC 27858
Willing to Travel? Yes
Fee for Services? Yes
Lectures Offered:
The Jewel of Liberty
I Shall Never Recall a Word
"Ain't you Glad You Joined the Republicans"
"Must I Shoot A Simple Soldier Boy"
A Time to Kill
Lincoln and Negro Equality
Little Giant vs. the Giant Killer
We Are Coming Father Abraham
Other Programs Offered:
Media Interview
Workshop
Writing for Scholarly Publications
Writing for Newspapers/Magazines
