Jack Dempsey

Jack Dempsey is an author, editor, historian, former public servant, and retired attorney. He has authored six books on the Civil War and three on Michigan heritage, besides numerous articles on history and the law. Twice he received the coveted Michigan Notable Books award. A graduate of James Madison College at Michigan State University and the National Law Center at George Washington University, Jack practiced law for over 40 years but is nearly a lifelong student of American history. He served on the Michigan Historical Commission from 2007-2018, being elected five times to the post of its President, as well as on the Michigan Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee and the Michigan World War I Centennial Commission. He has formed and served on the boards and as an officer of several Michigan heritage nonprofits. He was the top vote-getter for Trustee of Plymouth Township in November 2016.

In 2013, Jack and colleague Brian James Egen launched the Michigan Civil War Association to publish ground-breaking books on Michigan’s contributions to the Union victory. The MCWA is also leading the project to erect a Michigan monument at Antietam National Battlefield.

Jack’s latest book contextualizes the correspondence of a rural Midwestern woman and her absent soldier husband that sheds new light on the home front in the Civil War.