Richard M. Ketchum
Richard M. Ketchum was an American author renowned for his contributions to military history, particularly regarding the American Revolution. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and a graduate of Yale University, Ketchum served in the South Atlantic during World War II. He authored several notable works, including "Decisive Day: The Battle for Bunker Hill" and "Saratoga: Turning Point of America's Revolutionary War," the latter receiving recognition as a New York Times Notable Book in 1999. Ketchum also held the position of director of book publishing at the American Heritage Publishing Company, where he played a key role in editing significant historical volumes, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning "American Heritage Picture History of the Civil War." His writing is characterized by vivid prose and thorough research, though it has faced criticism for its conventional interpretations, particularly regarding the roles of American Indians in history. Beyond military history, Ketchum was passionate about conservation and agrarian life, founding "Blair and Ketcham's Country Journal" in 1974, which focuses on rural living. In his later years, he resided on a working sheep farm in Vermont with his wife.
On this Page
Subject Terms
Richard M. Ketchum
Author
- Born: March 15, 1922
- Birthplace: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Died: January 12, 2012
Biography
American author Richard Ketchum was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Yale University. He served during World War II in the South Atlantic, and was best known for his military history books, including several about the American Revolution: Decisive Day: The Battle for Bunker Hill, The Winter Soldiers: The Battles for Trenton and Princeton, and Saratoga: Turning Point of America’s Revolutionary War. The latter was named a New York Times Notable Book in 1999.
As director of book publishing for the American Heritage Publishing Company, Ketchum edited numerous volumes for that press. His American Heritage Picture History of the Civil War was given the Pulitzer Prize Special Citation in 1961 as “a distinguished example of American book publishing.” Ketchum was respected as a popular documentary historian because of the vivid description and excitement of his prose combined with his extensive research from both secondary and primary sources. He was also frequently challenged for his conventionalism. Reviewers pointed out that his treatment of the motives of historical actors, particularly American Indians, often lack nuance and unabashedly repeat traditional interpretations.
Although most widely known for his works of military history, Ketchum was an avid conservationist and agrarian. In 1974, he founded Blair and Ketcham’s Country Journal (now called Country Journal), a monthly magazine featuring articles on various aspects of rural life throughout the United States, and served as its longtime editor.
In retirement, Ketchum and his wife lived on a working sheep farm in Vermont.