Illinois College invites the community to attend a presentation on how Illinois College and the Jacksonville community were involved in the Civil War.

Historian and Illinois College Professor Emeritus of History James Davis will be speaking on the subject Wednesday, February 1, in Kirby Learning Center, Room 6 at 7 p.m. This will be the last chance to attend a lecture by the retired professor as he will be moving to Michigan this spring.

The program is free of charge and will feature the activities and events associated with the Civil War along with subtopics that include life in the town and college during the war, roles played by Jacksonville and Illinois College during the war, and the impact of the war on the community and nation.

Davis specializes in 19th century American history and has authored three books, including Frontier Illinois and Dreams to Dust which was nominated for four awards including the Parkman Award and the Bancroft Prize.

As a faculty member since 1971, Davis was the first to earn the Harry Joy Dunbaugh Distinguished Professor Award twice (1981 and 1993) and has taken students to do research in places like the Library of Congress and the National Archives. He has also taken students on trips to the Soviet Union, France and other countries, along with Civil War battlefields and other historical places.

During his time at Illinois College, Davis has received a number of grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities including three grants to direct Summer Seminars at the college on the American frontier for teachers from all over the country and two grants to study Russian art and architecture in Russia.