James MacLeod to Present November Andiron Lecture at UE

Next week, as part of the University of Evansville’s Andiron Lecture Series in the liberal arts and sciences, James MacLeod, professor of history, will present “To the Greater Glory of God: Religion and Memorialization in 1920s Scotland.”

MacLeod will speak at 4 p.m. Wednesday, November 7 in Eykamp Hall (Room 252), Ridgway University Center. His lecture is free and open to the public.

“The First World War killed around 10 million men and helped shape the modern world,” MacLeod said. “The war had a devastating impact on traditional religious belief, especially in formerly pious countries like Scotland.”

“Through an analysis of around one thousand Scottish war memorials, mostly erected in the early 1920s, this lecture is a measurement of the extent to which religion continued to be a force in society. This involves a discussion of not only location and form, but also iconography and inscriptions, and is one way to assess the real impact war had on traditional religion in Scotland.”

MacLeod holds a PhD from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. He taught history and British studies at Harlaxton College from 1994-99, and since 1999 he has taught history at the University of Evansville. In 2003, he was honored with the Exemplary Teacher Award, presented by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of The United Methodist Church. He is the author of The Second Disruption: The Free Church in Victorian Scotland and the Origins of the Free Presbyterian Church (Tuckwell Press, 2000) and numerous articles and chapters of books. His research interests are war, war memorials, and religion. His grandfather was a stretcher bearer in World War I.

Established in 1982, the Andiron Lectures offer research, commentary, and reflection from many fields of study. Presenters are primarily drawn from the faculty of UE’s College of Arts and Sciences but also include faculty members and administrators from across the University campus and occasional contributions from the regional community. The Andiron Lectures are sponsored by the University of Evansville College of Arts and Sciences and supported by a generous gift from Donald B. and Jean Korb.

Source: Evansville.edu