Faculty Papers: Erving E. Beauregard Papers

“I still have an interest in the way humanity has fared throughout the ages. We have made progress in a number of ways and gone backwards in a number of others. There is always a future in history.”

Erving E. Beauregard was born in Bondsville, Massachusetts in 1920. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Chicago and his master’s degree from the University of Massachusetts. He did further studies at Harvard University, Boston University, University of Ottawa, and the Union Research Institute.  He had membership in a number of professional association and was instrumental in establishing a chapter of the American Association of University Professors at UD in 1966.

Dr. Erving Beauregrad served on the University of Dayton history faculty from 1947 until 1991 when he was made a Professor Emeritus of History. He taught courses in Medieval history, African history, and Middle East History. He authored over 150 articles in encyclopedias and professional journals in ten countries: Canada, China, France, Germany, Great Britain, India, Kenya, Netherlands, Nigeria, and the United States.  He also wrote nine books throughout his career.

Many of Dr. Beauregard’s published papers focused on individuals who made significant historical contributions, particularly during the Civil War era. As he wrote in one article published in the Harrisonian, “Persons make history.” For example, Dr. Beauregard wrote extensively about Congressmen John Bingham (1815-1900) who grew up in Cadiz, Ohio. Dr. Beauregard’s research and writing was focused geographically on Harrison County, Ohio; but throughout his career he also branched out to European and African history, as well as the history of higher education. Additionally, Dr. Beauregard was a source for the New York Times fact checkers and often wrote letters correcting historical inaccuracies in the Dayton Daily News.

Even as a Professor Emeritus, Dr. Beauregard spent six days a week in his office at UD and traveled extensively.  Dr. Beauregard died in May of 2004 at the age of 83. He is buried in Woodland Cemetery.

Left: Members of the American Association of University Professors, 2004. Right: Dr. Erving Beauregard.

Brother Joseph Gaudet's oral history interview with Dr. Erving Beauregard
February 19, 1976
Oral History Collection

JG: Here's another one, old members of the faculty that impressed you...would there be anything outside the history department, for example, in your years?

EB: Well you mentioned Doctor Wohlleben, Brother Wohlleben who was certainly an outstanding individual. He was impressive indeed, his very appearance, he was most charming, an excellent person. I think he was one of the great assets of the University and so he is well honored in the naming of Wohlleben Hall.

Leland Norris Jr. '52 remembering Erving Beauregard
April 26, 1997
Oral History Collection

MB: You mentioned earlier among the faculty that you remember Erving Beauregard, a World History teacher.

LN: Yes, there's the man I took World History from. We had for one year. We took World History before 1865 and World History after 1865 and this man lectured for a solid year and didn't open the textbook. And this will amaze you that the guy has this much knowledge and he did, he could stand up there and talk for a whole hour and you would have to take notes as he was giving out the information but the man had it all upstairs.

Search for articles written by Dr. Erving Beauregard in the database Academic Search Complete.

Visit the University Archives to access the Erving E. Beauregard Papers, which include papers and articles written by Dr. Beauregard that may be difficult to access otherwise.