John K. Mahon

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John K. Mahon

Born	February 8, 1912
Nationality	United States
Field	History
Institutions	University of Florida

John K. Mahon (February 8, 1912 – October 11, 2003).

In 1954 Mahon accepted a teaching position in the history department at the University of Florida. His interest in Military history and the Seminoles led to his three books, as well as numerous articles for encyclopedias and historical journals.

His work "History of the Second Seminole War" is considered by some as the authoritative modern reference on the little known but regional and nationally important last great war of Indian Removal east of the Mississippi. A tragic and shameful period of US History the Seminole Wars of the the 1830's to 1850's were precursors to the US Civil War with roots in slavery. Mahon captures the American, Seminole and Black cultures, leaders, and tactics of the war. In his own words, "The book will last."

He served as the chairman of the History Department at the University of Florida from 1965 to 1973.

After retiring in 1972, Mahon continued to pursue his interest in history. In addition, he was a founder of the Alachua Audubon Society and Florida Defenders of the Environment. He also held leadership positions in the local Sierra Club, the Florida Historical Society, and the Seminole Wars Historic Foundation.

[edit] Selected works

The History of the Second Seminole War (Gainesville, FL: University of Florida Press, 1967)
The War of 1812 (Gainesville, FL: University of Florida Press, 1972) ISBN 0-8130-0318-0
The History of the Militia and National Guard (New York: Macmillan, 1983)