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New Illinois State historian named - Rob Wick - 08-01-2016 07:28 PM
My good friend, Sam Wheeler, was recently appointed the tenth Illinois State Historian, filling the vacancy left when Roger's former student, Thomas Schwartz, became director of the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library. As many of you know, things in Illinois have been a royal mess, including items relating to history and most specifically, Lincoln. I've known Sam several years, ever since he was a grad student at Southern Illinois University under the late John Y. Simon, and I think he is going to bring some much-needed stability to that department.
Here is an article on Sam's selection.
http://www.pjstar.com/news/20160731/new-state-historian-sees-things-headed-in-right-direction
Best
Rob
RE: New Illinois State historian named - RJNorton - 08-02-2016 03:50 AM
Thanks for posting this, Rob. I used to be a regular reader of his Lincoln Studies. Among his many accomplishments Sam is the researcher who discovered that neither Abraham nor Mary wrote the poem "Little Eddie" after their second son died in 1850. Many books incorrectly credit the poem to the Lincolns, but Sam discovered it was actually written by a woman from St. Louis named Ethel Grey.
RE: New Illinois State historian named - davg2000 - 08-02-2016 08:08 AM
Sam Wheeler is a great choice for Illinois State Historian. I am a bit surprised--it appeared that this position would remain unfilled indefinitely, as yet another symptom of Illinois's problems. Tom Schwartz left five years ago. Perhaps the trustees of the Illinois State Historic Agency were just waiting for the right person. You can't be around Sam long and not be impressed by his knowledge of, and enthusiasm for, all things Lincoln. I believe Sam has taught only at the college level, but he would have been a marvelous high school history teacher. Kudos to IHPA!