James I. Robertson, Jr.

James Irvin "Bud" Robertson Jr. (July 18, 1930 – November 2, 2019) was an American historian on the American Civil War and professor at Virginia Tech.

Early life and academic career Robertson was born on July 18, 1930, and raised in Danville, Virginia. He earned his bachelor's degree at Randolph–Macon College in 1955, and his master's degree and PhD. at Emory University in 1956 and 1959, respectively.

Civil War achievements Robertson was the founding executive director of the Virginia Center for Civil War Studies research and education center. Robertson was the Chief Historical Consultant in the 2003 Warner Brothers film Gods and Generals, which prominently features Stonewall Jackson. Robertson was also a member of the Board of Trustees at the Museum of the Confederacy in Richmond, Virginia.

Robertson authored 18 books including General A.P. Hill, Soldiers Blue and Gray, and Civil War! America Becomes One Nation. His biography Stonewall Jackson: The Man, The Soldier, The Legend, won eight national awards including the American Library Association's Best Book for Young Readers Award. Robertson also edited an additional 18 books on the Civil War.

In 1961, President John F. Kennedy nominated Robertson to serve as the executive director of the U.S. Civil War Centennial Commission, a federal committee that was foundering under the pressures of regional differences and the emerging civil rights movement, unable to organize a dignified commemoration of the war era. Robertson worked effectively with 34 state and 100 local centennial committees to create a successful result.

In 2011, Robertson wrote and hosted, with William C. "Jack" Davis, the 3-hour documentary "Virginia in the Civil War: A Sesquicentennial Remembrance".

In 2016, Robertson received The Lincoln Forum's Richard Nelson Current Award of Achievement.

Robertson Award Since 2000, Robertson also sponsored an award in his name honoring scholarship in the field of Confederate history.

Athletics Along with his academic career, he spent several years as a faculty representative from Virginia Tech to the NCAA. Robertson's work as Faculty Chairman of Athletics and President of the Virginia Tech Athletic Association from 1979–91 helped Virginia Tech join the Big East athletic conference. Robertson was elected to the Virginia Tech Sports Hall of Fame in 2008.

His main other contribution to college athletics was by being an Atlantic Coast Conference football referee for 16 years.

Death Robertson died on November 2, 2019, from complications from cancer, in Richmond, Virginia.