In Memory of Steve Davis: Melissa Winn

EDITOR’S NOTE: The ECW community was saddened today to learn the news of the death of one of our alums, Steve Davis. Civil War News published a wonderful obituary for Steve, which you can read here. Among his extensive body of work, Steve contributed two books to the Emerging Civil War Series, All the Fighting They Want and A Long and Bloody Task, and he contributed essays to several of our collections, including Turning Points. He served as ECW’s book review editor from 2021–23, and he blogged with us as a regular contributor (see Steve’s archive of stories here).

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I was fortunate to work closely with Steve during my time with Civil War Times and America’s Civil War, and it is hard to overstate both his talent and his kindness.

Steve was one of the most prolific writers I have ever known. He was an endless source of ideas, always brimming with enthusiasm for the next story, the next portfolio, the next way to bring history to life. But what set him apart just as much as his scholarship was his generosity of spirit. He was, simply, one of the nicest people you could hope to work with.

He made collaboration easy. Most memorably, he would always follow up the publication of his stories with personalized, hand-written thank you cards. He would also often send an article, a clipping, or a book—something he had come across that connected to a conversation we’d had. He didn’t just write history; he shared it, thoughtfully and personally, with those around him. He always sent personal congratulations for my endeavors even after the magazines closed. He was so thoughtful.

Steve’s absence will be deeply felt by those who had the privilege to know and work with him, and by the many readers who benefited from his passion.

What a loss for us all.

Thank you for all you shared with us, Steve.