Edward J. Cashin

Edward J. Cashin (1927– September 8, 2007) was an American historian. He was Professor emeritus of History and Director of the Center for the Study of Georgia History at Augusta State University in Augusta, Georgia. Cashin was the author of many books and numerous articles on the history of Georgia, especially Augusta, and the Southern frontier in the 18th century.

Dr. Cashin died on Saturday, September 8, 2007, in a hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. He had collapsed two days earlier while researching his next book.

He was a native son of Augusta, Georgia, where he graduated from Boys Catholic High School in 1945. He was a graduate of Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY., in 1952. He received his M.A. from Fordham University in New York. He received his Ph.D. in American History from Fordham in 1962. His doctoral dissertation was entitled “Thomas E. Watson and the Catholic Laymen's Association of Georgia.” He was appointed Academic Vice-President of Marist College in 1963, while continuing teaching in the History Department there.

Dr. Cashin returned to his hometown as associate history professor at Augusta College (now Augusta University) in 1969. He was named a full professor in 1972. He became chairman of the department of history in 1975. He retired from Augusta State University in 1996 as professor emeritus. He then founded and became director of the Center for the Study of Georgia History at Augusta State University.

Besides his popularity as a classroom professor, Dr. Cashin was well known for his extensive research, knowledge and historical writings. Through his biographies of people such as Scottish trader Lachlan McGillivray, "King's Ranger" Thomas Brown, and numerous other important figures, Dr. Cashin provided narratives which preserved knowledge of the central roles they had in Georgia's history.

Dr. Cashin was not just a talented historian who loved Georgia history. He was highly respected by students, colleagues and friends. He epitomized the expression "a gentleman and a scholar." Through his leadership and involvement in many historical activities and organizations, he was a major figure in preserving the region's history.