Louis S. Gerteis

Louis S. Gerteis is a Professor of History at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, where he has taught since 1969. He specializes in Civil War Era history and is the author of four books, including Civil War St. Louis (2001) and The Civil War in Missouri: A Military History (2012), alongside numerous scholarly articles.

His educational background includes:

• PhD in History from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (1969)
• MA in History from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (1966)
• BA from Antioch College (1965)

Gerteis' research focuses on Nineteenth-century United States, with deep expertise in Slavery and Emancipation, Civil War and Reconstruction, and the Construction of Race in Nineteenth-century America. His work integrates Historical Method, Archival Research, and Museum Studies, particularly examining Blackface Minstrelsy's role in racial formation. He has made significant contributions to understanding Civil War Missouri's social and military dimensions.

His recent publications consistently analyze slavery, emancipation, and border-state dynamics during the Civil War, emphasizing Missouri's unique position. These works demonstrate methodological rigor through Content Analysis of primary sources and engagement with public history via museum collaborations.

His sole documented honor is the William Barnaby Faherty Award (2002) from the Historical Society of St. Louis County for preserving St. Louis history.

Gerteis secured major research funding including the Laura X Archives project (2008-2009, University of Missouri Research Board) and three iterations of the Virtual City Project (2001-2009) funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities and Institute of Museum and Library Services. These digital humanities initiatives focused on historical preservation and public access.

His external appointments—including Visiting Fellow at the University of East Anglia (1984-1985), Harvard University's Stanley J. Kahrl Fellowship (1991), and Missouri Historical Society Research Exchange (1993)—highlight his national scholarly impact and museum partnerships.