Frank Vandiver
Encyclopedia
Frank Everson Vandiver was an American Civil War
historian and former president of Texas A&M University
and the University of North Texas
, as well as acting president of Rice University
. Vandiver wrote, co-wrote, or edited 24 books, and wrote an additional 100 scholarly articles or reviews. One of his books was a runner-up for a National Book Award
.
. He joined the United States Army Air Corp during World War II
and served as a historian. Despite not having a high school diploma, following the war, Vandiver entered the University of Texas at Austin
to study humanities and American studies. He was awarded a Rockefeller Fellowship for his studies. Vandiver received his Master of Arts
degree from the University of Texas in 1949 and was awarded a Ph.D.
from Tulane University
in 1951.
in Houston, Texas. By 1958 he had become a full professor at Rice. Over the next two decades, Vandiver was promoted to department chair, master of Brown College, provost, and vice president. He served as the Acting President of Rice from 1969–1970. During his tenure as acting president, Houston Independent School District
awarded Vandiver a high school diploma. In 1979, Vandiver left Rice to become the president of what is now the University of North Texas
.
. During his tenure, Vandiver was a driving force behind the adoption of a law creating space-grant colleges in the United States. Colleges given this designation would gain federal funds to research space-related technologies. Vandiver believed that Texas A&M was well-positioned to become one of the first of these institutions and remarked that such a designation would "elevate Texas A&M from being an excellent institution for space-related studies to being a great one".
Vandiver resigned as president of A&M in 1988, citing a desire to spend more time on research and writing. Rather than leave the university, he established the Mosher Defense Studies Institute, a national defense think tank. He was also named a distinguished professor in the history department.
. Almost half of his books were still in print at the time of his death, including his first book, Ploughshares Into Swords: Josiah Gorgas and Confederate Ordnance. His 1977 book, Black Jack: The Life and Times of John J. Pershing, was a runner-up for a National Book Award
. He also authored over 100 scholarly articles or reviews.
He was awarded many honors for his work. Among these were honors from two Civil War Round Tables (Houston and Baton Rouge). The Houston Civil War Round Table renamed their annual award of merit the Frank E. Vandiver Award in 1985. Vandiver was also awarded a distinguished service award from the Houston chapter of the Texas Society, Sons of the American Revolution
, and was named an honorary professor at the Universidad Nacional de Asuncion
in Paraguay
.
described Vandiver as "a colorful and articulate man with much personal charm". He was married twice. His first wife, Carol Sue Smith, died in 1979. The next year, Vandiver remarried to Renee Aubry Carmody. He had three children, two daughters and a son. Vandiver died at his home in College Station, Texas
on January 7, 2005.
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
historian and former president of Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University is a coeducational public research university located in College Station, Texas . It is the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System. The sixth-largest university in the United States, A&M's enrollment for Fall 2011 was over 50,000 for the first time in school...
and the University of North Texas
University of North Texas
The University of North Texas is a public institution of higher education and research in Denton. Founded in 1890, UNT is part of the University of North Texas System. As of the fall of 2010, the University of North Texas, Denton campus, had a certified enrollment of 36,067...
, as well as acting president of Rice University
Rice University
William Marsh Rice University, commonly referred to as Rice University or Rice, is a private research university located on a heavily wooded campus in Houston, Texas, United States...
. Vandiver wrote, co-wrote, or edited 24 books, and wrote an additional 100 scholarly articles or reviews. One of his books was a runner-up for a National Book Award
National Book Award
The National Book Awards are a set of American literary awards. Started in 1950, the Awards are presented annually to American authors for literature published in the current year. In 1989 the National Book Foundation, a nonprofit organization which now oversees and manages the National Book...
.
Early years
Vandiver was born in Austin, TexasAustin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
. He joined the United States Army Air Corp during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and served as a historian. Despite not having a high school diploma, following the war, Vandiver entered the University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
to study humanities and American studies. He was awarded a Rockefeller Fellowship for his studies. Vandiver received his Master of Arts
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
degree from the University of Texas in 1949 and was awarded a Ph.D.
Ph.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
from Tulane University
Tulane University
Tulane University is a private, nonsectarian research university located in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States...
in 1951.
Teaching
After graduation, Vandiver accepted a teaching position as Washington University. He left within a few years to teach at Rice UniversityRice University
William Marsh Rice University, commonly referred to as Rice University or Rice, is a private research university located on a heavily wooded campus in Houston, Texas, United States...
in Houston, Texas. By 1958 he had become a full professor at Rice. Over the next two decades, Vandiver was promoted to department chair, master of Brown College, provost, and vice president. He served as the Acting President of Rice from 1969–1970. During his tenure as acting president, Houston Independent School District
Houston Independent School District
The Houston Independent School District is the largest public school system in Texas and the seventh-largest in the United States. Houston ISD serves as a community school district for most of the city of Houston and several nearby and insular municipalities...
awarded Vandiver a high school diploma. In 1979, Vandiver left Rice to become the president of what is now the University of North Texas
University of North Texas
The University of North Texas is a public institution of higher education and research in Denton. Founded in 1890, UNT is part of the University of North Texas System. As of the fall of 2010, the University of North Texas, Denton campus, had a certified enrollment of 36,067...
.
Texas A&M University
In 1981, Vandiver became president of Texas A&M UniversityTexas A&M University
Texas A&M University is a coeducational public research university located in College Station, Texas . It is the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System. The sixth-largest university in the United States, A&M's enrollment for Fall 2011 was over 50,000 for the first time in school...
. During his tenure, Vandiver was a driving force behind the adoption of a law creating space-grant colleges in the United States. Colleges given this designation would gain federal funds to research space-related technologies. Vandiver believed that Texas A&M was well-positioned to become one of the first of these institutions and remarked that such a designation would "elevate Texas A&M from being an excellent institution for space-related studies to being a great one".
Vandiver resigned as president of A&M in 1988, citing a desire to spend more time on research and writing. Rather than leave the university, he established the Mosher Defense Studies Institute, a national defense think tank. He was also named a distinguished professor in the history department.
Writing
Vandiver wrote, co-wrote or edited 24 books, most centered on the American Civil WarAmerican Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. Almost half of his books were still in print at the time of his death, including his first book, Ploughshares Into Swords: Josiah Gorgas and Confederate Ordnance. His 1977 book, Black Jack: The Life and Times of John J. Pershing, was a runner-up for a National Book Award
National Book Award
The National Book Awards are a set of American literary awards. Started in 1950, the Awards are presented annually to American authors for literature published in the current year. In 1989 the National Book Foundation, a nonprofit organization which now oversees and manages the National Book...
. He also authored over 100 scholarly articles or reviews.
He was awarded many honors for his work. Among these were honors from two Civil War Round Tables (Houston and Baton Rouge). The Houston Civil War Round Table renamed their annual award of merit the Frank E. Vandiver Award in 1985. Vandiver was also awarded a distinguished service award from the Houston chapter of the Texas Society, Sons of the American Revolution
Sons of the American Revolution
The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution is a Louisville, Kentucky-based fraternal organization in the United States...
, and was named an honorary professor at the Universidad Nacional de Asuncion
Universidad Nacional de Asunción
The Universidad Nacional de Asunción, abbreviated UNA, is a public university in Paraguay. Founded in 1889, it is the oldest and most traditional university in the country.In 2006, there were 36,000 students and 5,500 professors.- Organization :...
in Paraguay
Paraguay
Paraguay , officially the Republic of Paraguay , is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. Paraguay lies on both banks of the Paraguay River, which runs through the center of the...
.
Personal life
The Houston ChronicleHouston Chronicle
The Houston Chronicle is the largest daily newspaper in Texas, USA, headquartered in the Houston Chronicle Building in Downtown Houston. , it is the ninth-largest newspaper by circulation in the United States...
described Vandiver as "a colorful and articulate man with much personal charm". He was married twice. His first wife, Carol Sue Smith, died in 1979. The next year, Vandiver remarried to Renee Aubry Carmody. He had three children, two daughters and a son. Vandiver died at his home in College Station, Texas
College Station, Texas
College Station is a city in Brazos County, Texas, situated in East Central Texas in the heart of the Brazos Valley. The city is located within the most populated region of Texas, near three of the 10 largest cities in the United States - Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio...
on January 7, 2005.
Selected works
- Ploughshares Into Swords: Josiah Gorgas and Confederate Ordnance (1952)
- Rebel Brass: The Confederate Command System (1956)
- Mighty Stonewall (1957)
- Jubal's Raid: General Early's Famous Attack on Washington in 1864 (1960)
- Their Tattered Flags: The Epic of the Confederacy (1970)
- Black Jack: The Life and Times of John J. Pershing (1977) — runner up for National Book Award
- Blood Brothers: A Short History of the Civil War (1992)
- Shadows of Vietnam: Lyndon Johnson's Wars (1997)
- 1001 Things Everyone Should Know About the Civil War (1999)
- 1001 Things Everyone Should Know About World War II (2000)
External links
- Frank E. Vandiver, obituary from Texas A&M University
- Guide to the Frank E. Vandiver papers, 1947c1977