Peter S. Carmichael

Peter S. Carmichael (February 23, 1966 – July 21, 2024) was an American historian at Gettysburg College who served as Robert C. Fluhrer Professor of Civil War Studies and Director of the Civil War Institute at Gettysburg College. His research and teaching focused on the American Civil War, the American South and public history.

Background Carmichael received his B.A. from Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis in 1988 and completed his graduate work under Gary W. Gallagher at The Pennsylvania State University, where he received his PhD in 1996.

When he took charge of the Civil War Institute, Carmichael sought to create more intimate environments during the institute's annual summer conference, attended by over 200 people each year, to allow scholars to work with the public in smaller settings.

Carmichael also served on the board of directors and the Historians' Council of the Gettysburg Foundation, the non-profit partner of Gettysburg National Military Park. He was reappointed a Distinguished Lecturer for the Organization of American Historians for 2017–2018. He was a fan of the Indianapolis Colts and attended their first preseason game following their relocation from Baltimore in 1984.

Carmichael died on July 21, 2024, from complications due to respiratory illness, at the age of 58.