About the Author, Dr. Robert E. Sterling

Dr. Robert E. Sterling

Dr. Robert E. Sterling was born and educated in Joliet, Illinois. The Joliet Jaycees named him the Outstanding Junior Citizen of Joliet in 1959. He graduated from Joliet Township High School where he was active in athletics, student government, and the honor society. Sterling received a B.A. degree in history from Wheaton College. He earned an M.A. degree and a Ph.D. in Civil War history, both from Northern Illinois University.

Dr. Sterling is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Historical Association, the Organization of American Historians, and the American Association for State and Local History. Sterling has also served on the boards of the Joliet Public Library, the Joliet Area Historical Society, and the Joliet Area Historical Museum. He has authored and coauthored several books and articles on a variety of historical subjects.

In 1967, Dr. Sterling joined the history faculty at Joliet Junior College and served as Chair of the Social and Behavioral Sciences Department for thirty years. He also developed the college’s Distance Education Department and served as director until his retirement.

Dr. Sterling and his wife, Jo Ann, moved to Colorado in 2007 to be closer to their son Geoffrey, daughter-in-law Kristina, and grandchildren John and Juliet.