A retired Eastern Kentucky University professor examines “The Rhetoric of Lincoln’s Letters” in a book with that title.
Dr. Marshall Myers, professor emeritus of English and former coordinator of composition at EKU, records the evolution of Lincoln’s writing style through his letters and explores the various persuasive techniques the Kentucky-born president used to communicate with various audiences in his letters. The work traces Lincoln’s letters as they involve many different situations from romantic entanglements to dealing with recalcitrant generals and greedy cabinet members, among the many recipients of his more than 5,000 epistles.
Myers’ work, 10 years in the making and published by McFarland, expands his interests in the Civil War and the use of rhetoric in 19th Century politics and life.
A graduate of Meade County (Kentucky) High School, Myers earned a Ph.D. in rhetoric and composition from the University of Louisville, with additional Ph.D. work in American literature work at Kansas State University. His master’s and bachelor’s degrees are from EKU and Kentucky Wesleyan.
The author of more than 300 poems, short stories, various popular and academic pieces, Myers’ most recent books include “Great Civil War Stories of Kentucky,” “Neither Blue Nor Gray,” and “Only in Old Kentucky.”
Myers, who lives in Richmond, Kentucky, serves as president of the Madison County Civil War Roundtable, past president of the Eastern Kentucky University Retired Teachers, and was appointed by former Gov. Steven L. Beshear as a member of the Kentucky Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission.