George C. Osborn

George Coleman Osborn (1904–1982) was an American historian, professor, and author. He wrote non-fiction about Southern history and biographies. He wrote books about John Sharp Williams, Woodrow Wilson, John James Tigert and James Kimble Vardaman.

George Coleman Osborn
Born	(1904-05-15)May 15, 1904 Learned, Mississippi, U.S.
Died	August 23, 1982(1982-08-23) (aged 78) Gainesville, Florida, U.S.
Education	Mississippi College, Indiana University Bloomington
Occupation(s)	Historian, professor, author
Spouse	Margaret McMillen ​ (m. 1936)​
Children	2

Early life and education

George Coleman Osborn was born on May 15, 1904 in Learned, Mississippi,^[1] to parents Bettie Mae (née Hendrick) and Samuel George Osborn.^[2]

He graduated from Mississippi College with a B.A. degree in 1927.^[1] He received his A.M. degree in 1932 and Ph.D. in 1938 from Indiana University Bloomington.^[1] On May 20, 1936, Osborn married Margaret McMillen, and together they had two children.^[2]

Career

Between 1935 and 1941, he was the chairman of the social services department at Berry College in Mount Berry, Georgia.^[2][3] He also taught at the University of Mississippi (1943–1944); Memphis State University (now University of Memphis; 1944–1947); University of Florida (1947–1974); and Wallace State Junior College (1974–1977).^[2]

In 1943, he wrote the book, John Sharp Williams: Planter-Statesman of the Deep South, which was reviewed in the Indiana Magazine of History.^[4]

A collection of Osborn's research materials are at the University of Mississippi Libraries.^[3]

Osborn died on August 23, 1982 in Gainesville, Florida.^[5]

Publications

• Osborn, George Coleman (1932). Career of John Sharp Williams in the House of Representatives, 1893–1909. University of Indiana.
• Osborn, George C. (1943). John Sharp Williams: Planter-Statesman of the Deep South. Louisiana State University Press.^[6][7]
• Osborn, George C. (1958). "Woodrow Wilson's First Romance". Ohio Historical Quarterly. 67 (1).
• Osborn, George Coleman (1968). Woodrow Wilson, The Early Years. Baton Rouge, LA: Louisiana State University Press. ISBN 9780807106365.
• Osborn, George Coleman (1974). John James Tigert: American Educator. University Press of Florida. ISBN 9780783749471.
• Osborn, George Coleman (1980). Woodrow Wilson in British Opinion and Thought. Alachua County Printing and Publishing.
• Osborn, George Coleman (1981). James Kimble Vardaman, Southern Commoner. G.C. Osborn.
• Osborn, George Coleman (1970). The First Baptist Church, Gainesville, Florida, 1870–1970. Storter Print. Company. OCLC 1722145.