Distinguished professor dies after 44 years at SIUC
Allison Petty
John Simon, professor of history and executive director of the Ulysses S. Grant Association, died Tuesday morning, university spokesman Rod Sievers confirmed.
"John Simon was a giant of a man," said Jonathon Bean, a history professor who has known Simon since 1995. "He was one of the great public intellectuals SIU had, and by that I mean he was popular with students on campus and audiences worldwide."
Simon, 75, worked at the university for the past 44 years. He was the editor of 28 published volumes of "The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant." He taught courses on the American Civil War, Reconstruction and Illinois history.
He won numerous awards for his work on Civil War history, writing more than a hundred articles, essays and book chapters during his career.
Allison Petty can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 254 or allison.petty@siude.com.
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