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An interactive map tracking over 130 events in the life of General George C. Marshall is now available on the George C. Marshall Foundation’s website.
Based in the Virginia Military Institute, the George C. Marshall Foundation is a non-profit that seeks to preserve and promote information about Marshall, a VMI alumnus who served in the army through World War I and World War II, perhaps best known for the Marshall Plan to rebuild Europe after World War II.
The map was designed by Dr. Frank Settle, professor emeritus at Washington and Lee University, and an active member of the Marshall Foundation.
Settle, who taught chemistry, became interested in Marshall through his research on nuclear weapons.
“I developed an intimate knowledge of Marshall through the research for my book, ‘General George C. Marshall and the Atomic Bomb,’” said Settle. “The book and the map were the result of the intersection of my interest in nuclear issues and General Marshall’s leadership in World War II.”
While the Marshall Foundation closed its museum t in 2021, it maintains both its archives and an online presence, of which this map is part.
“The electronic map of World War II in the Marshall Museum and a timeline of Marshall’s life on the Marshall Foundation’s website caused me to think about a dynamic means of presenting Marshall’s life and contributions to a broad audience,” Settle explained.
“The closure of the museum meant the World War II map was no longer available to the public and the timeline, while accurate, presented a limited, rather unexciting portrayal of Marshall.”
The new version works through Google Maps to provide users with a timeline coded into distinct periods of Marshall’s life. Icons not only mark the geographical locations of important events, but also the opportunity for more detailed information, including photographs and links to other portions of the website.
Settle hopes the map will bring people, especially young people, into contact with Marshall’s life.
“I am passionate about keeping Marshall’s contributions alive, especially for the younger generations, and believe the map is an effective means of engaging them.”
The interactive map can be found under the “Life and Legacy” link on the Marshall Foundation’s website at www.marshallfoundation. org.
