Edward H. Bonekemper

Last updated
Edward H. Bonekemper
NationalityAmerican
EducationAmerican History, Law
Alma materMuhlenberg College, Old Dominion University, Yale Law School
SubjectsSlavery, Civil War, and Union and Confederate generals
SpouseSusan Weidemoyer [1]

Edward Henry Bonekemper III (1942-2017) [2] was a military historian, teacher, and writer. Bonekemper wrote frequently about slavery, the American Civil War, and Union and Confederate generals. Bonekemper was a frequent speaker at Civil War Roundtables as well as a frequent speaker at the Smithsonian Institution.

Contents

Education

In 1964, [3] Bonekemper graduated cum laude from Muhlenberg College with a bachelor's degree in American history. While attending Muhlenberg, he was given two awards based on his educational performance (best thesis; best American history CPA). Bonekemper later earned his master's degree in American history at Old Dominion University. He completed his Juris Doctor at Yale Law School. [4] [5]

He was a native of Pennsylvania, and resided on Willow Street in Lancaster, Pennsylvania at the time of his death. He was involved in the community. [5] [6]

Career

In January 2003, Bonekemper retired as a federal government attorney after 34 years of service. Within these 34 years, he worked 16 years as a lead hazardous materials transportation attorney for the United States Department of Transportation, and four years as the lead coal strip mining regulatory attorney at the United States Department of Interior. [4] During this time, he was also writing for Navy and Coast Guard publications. He was a speaker and teacher for the Coast Guard and Interior and Transportation Departments. [5]

Bonekemper was also a retired Coast Guard Reserve Commander. [4] [5]

For eight years (2003–10), [7] he taught military history part-time and was a visiting lecturer at his alma mater, Muhlenberg College in Pennsylvania. Bonekemper also was an instructor in American Constitutional History and Maritime Law at the United States Coast Guard Academy. [4] [8] He was an adjunct professor of Constitutional History at the American Military University. [4]

Bonekemper wrote articles for many publications including The Washington Times , The Journal of Afro-American History, and The Journal of Negro History. [6]

From 1998 onward, Bonekemper published non-fiction books about the Civil War. [5] His interest in Civil War history grew after multiple conversations with his father-in-law about this particular topic. His first book took him seven years to complete. [8]

Between 2010 and 2016, he was book review editor at Civil War News. [5]

Bonekemper gave over ten lectures at the Smithsonian Institution about the Civil War. [5] He also spoke at hundreds of Civil War round-table meetings, the Delta Queen, the Lincoln Forum of the District Columbia, the Chautauqua Institution, and numerous other events. Bonekemper made appearances on C-SPAN to discuss Grant and Lee's Civil war generalship. [7]

Family

Born in Hatfield, Pennsylvania, Edward H. Bonekemper III was a son of Edward H. Bonekemper II and Marie Bonekemper (née Adams), and had been married for 53 years to Susan Bonekemper (née Weidemoyer). [9]

Awards

Throughout his career, Bonekemper earned numerous awards. These include: [4]

Publications

Books

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References

  1. ↑ "Marie H. Bonekemper". The Morning Call. 10 May 2005. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
  2. ↑ "Edward H. Bonekemper III". Lancaster Online. 17 Dec 2017. Retrieved 10 Jan 2017.
  3. 1 2 "Reunion 2009: It's a Wrap!". The Talents Entrusted to our Care. 22 June 2009. Retrieved 23 April 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Edward Bonekemper". Conservative Book Club. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Edward H. Bonekmeper is a CWN Book Review Editor". Civil War News. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 23 April 2015.
  6. 1 2 3 "Six Turning Points of the Civil War" (PDF). Civil War Round Table of Eastern Pennsylvania. Retrieved 23 April 2015.[ permanent dead link ]
  7. 1 2 "Lincoln and Grant to be discussed at upcoming Civil War Round Table Meeting". Port City Daily. 25 December 2014. Retrieved 23 April 2015.
  8. 1 2 Blosser, Shannon (27 August 2004). "General Grant defended in Raleigh". Carolina Journal Online. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
  9. ↑ "Edward H. Bonekemper III" Lancaster Online.
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