CU professor to be published in inauguration portfolio

A Clemson professor, Vernon Burton, is one of ten historians from across the country invited to submit essays for the historical portfolio that will be distributed at Monday’s Presidential inauguration luncheon in Washington. Burton is a professor of history and director of the Cyber institute at Clemson. The portfolio is being published by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies to mark the sesquicentennial anniversary of 1863. That year President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. All essays revolved around events of that year. Burton’s piece, titled “Building the Transcontinental Railroad,” gives an overview of the importance of the railroad and the impact it had on America as the country recovered from the Civil War.