Lesley J. Gordon

Lesley J. Gordon is a Professor and the Charles G. Summersell Chair of Southern History in the Department of History at the University of Alabama, housed within the College of Arts & Sciences. Her research focuses on U.S., Southern, and military history, with a particular emphasis on the American Civil War, gender dynamics, racial issues, and the psychological and societal dimensions of warfare.

Education:

• PhD, The University of Georgia (1995)

Research Interests: She investigates topics such as soldier morale, combat trauma, and the interplay between historical narratives and popular memory. Her work challenges conventional heroism tropes by exploring the complexities of fear and cowardice among Civil War troops. Recent research includes a deep dive into regimental histories and their post-war legacies.

Publications: Her forthcoming book, Dread Danger: Cowardice and Combat in the American Civil War (Cambridge University Press, 2025), analyzes how cowardice charges affected soldiers and regiments, emphasizing the broader societal implications of wartime bravery expectations.

Advising/Grants: No advisees, grants, or ongoing projects are explicitly listed in the provided text. Her academic contributions are primarily through research and teaching in her department.