Before World War II and the air conditioning revolution in the South, an open window inviting the cool serenity of nature to settle in was a common site.
Doug Cupples said he missed those pre-World War II days because they were often the most interesting topics of conversation with the late southern author and historian, Shelby Foote.
Cupples, an instructor of history and Civil War expert, delivered a presentation Wednesday in the McWherter library about his acquaintance with Foote and his contributions as both an artist and historian. Cupples also presented various photographs of Foote and other famous novelists and artists that both of them admired.
Cupples said his conversations with Foote were never a hassle and always enjoyable.
"There was never a set agenda," Cupples said. "He knew who I was. He recognized me and he would usually remember things we spoke about."
Cupples first met Foote in the late 1970s and the two mainly became acquaintances, but not exactly personal friends, he said. However, their relationship would expand in the next 30 years.
"Most of our outlook was among the same lines," he said. "We never had any problems."
The last time the two met was in the summer of 2004 inside a bookstore. Foote was wearing a World War II uniform, which according to Cupples "still fit him."
However, Cupples said he saw the change in Foote.
"He looked sickly," he said.
A year later on June 27, Foote passed away. Cupples learned of Foote's death by e-mail.
Cupples said Foote should still be remembered as one of the best 20th century artists from Mississippi.
Foote authored six novels and three volumes about the Civil War. One of his most famous works was "Shiloh," which was published in 1965.
Novels such as "Shiloh" also prompted Foote to be called "the South's Homer," which was the theme of Cupples' presentation.
"He did the work, but he had the intuitive sense that artists have," Cupples said.
Cupples said that ability to bring characters such as Lincoln or Jefferson and portraying them as regular people was Foote's trademark and was the reason for his comparison to Homer, who wrote the Iliad and the Odyssey.
"He has this skill in uniting characters of the Civil War and relating them to regular people," Cupples said. "Homer makes the experience of the Civil War (Iliad) and the people universal and Foote does that."
Professors in the department of history praised Foote's qualities as a novelist who was able to make his characters relate to everyday people, but also appreciated his accuracy as a historian. They said history can often be forgotten, but novelists bring those details back to life.
"I think he captured the essence," said Janann Sherman, the department chair. "A novelist can take a character and make it composite. Foote makes you feel it."
History can also become an unpopular topic among students, because of so many details, but professors said making it interesting is the right step.
"I'm in favor of anyone who can make people enjoy reading history. Everyone I know who talks about Foote says they love his history of the Civil War. They love it for the narrative," said Leigh Anne Duck, a professor of English. "It's the sort of history people enjoy sitting back and reading."
