Revolutionary War Essays
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Director Dr. Chris Magra Publishes Three Essays on the American Revolutionary War
Center for the Study of Tennesseans and War | University of Tennessee, Knoxville
The Center for the Study of Tennesseans and War is pleased to announce that its Director, Dr. Chris Magra, has recently published three online essays exploring key moments and overlooked stories of the American Revolutionary War. The essays have collectively reached more than 211,000 readers, bringing rigorous historical scholarship to a broad public audience.
Each piece draws on Dr. Magra’s deep expertise in early American and maritime history, illuminating the human dimensions of the Revolution — from a young commander’s costly lessons on the frontier, to the words that steeled an army against impossible odds, to the unlikely sailors who kept the patriot cause alive.
How a 22-year-old George Washington learned how to lead, from a series of mistakes in the Pennsylvania wilderness
👁 131,000 Views
1776’s Declaration of Independence inspired Washington’s troops to fight against the odds – and also helped bring in powerful allies
👁 36,000 Views
How out-of-work fishermen saved the American Revolution
👁 44,000 Views
These essays are part of Dr. Magra’s ongoing commitment to public history — making the stories of ordinary and extraordinary Americans accessible to readers well beyond the classroom. The Center congratulates Dr. Magra on the remarkable reach and impact of this work.
For more information about the Center for the Study of Tennesseans and War and its research initiatives, please visit our website or contact us at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.