COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA – S.C. Governor Henry McMaster presented Winthrop University History Professor Edward Lee ’83 the Order of the Palmetto, citing his lifetime of achievements as a professor, historian and government official.
The Order of the Palmetto, which was established by Gov. John C. West in 1971, is South Carolina’s highest civilian honor and recognizes lifetime achievements and contributions that have significantly benefited the state.
The presentation took place on Sept. 18 at the Statehouse with Lee’s family members and friends in attendance, including S.C. Sen. Mike Fanning, S.C. Rep. John King, former U.S. Rep. John Napier and Winthrop History Department Chair Gregory Bell.
Lee said that teaching is in his DNA. “Interwoven with teaching is my love of history as well as my affection for Winthrop University,” he said. “I appreciate this honor from Governor McMaster, whom I enjoyed working with when I was mayor of the county seat. He and Representative John King, who represents our campus in the state legislature, are excellent public servants.”
This is the second award McMaster has given Lee in the past decade. Back in 2015, as Lieutenant Governor, McMaster honored Lee with the Palmetto Trust's Historic Preservation's Elected Official Award for his efforts while as mayor of York to save the historic York County Courthouse.
Lee joined the Winthrop faculty in 1994 after stints at the University of North Carolina Charlotte, the University of South Carolina and Belmont Abbey, and directs the graduate studies in history program. Looking back on his teaching career, Lee has said the thousands of students he has taught during his 40 years bring him tremendous pride.
As one of the few Winthrop faculty members to receive an Order of the Palmetto, Lee received praise from President Edward Serna ’02. “Professor Lee is a third-generation Winthrop graduate and traces his own history with Winthrop for more than 100 years. His grandmother was part of the Class of 1897; his mother, the Class of 1936,” Serna said. “He has brought his love of history to the classroom to help our students understand this state’s rich history. We salute him for his work as a scholar, professor and as a former mayor.”
Lee served as mayor of York, the county seat for York County which contains a large historic district, from 2002 until 2019.
Known for his love of South Carolina and American history, Lee learned to appreciate the past at an early age. That love was stoked by relatives who lived in the country’s capital, which enabled him to spend many summers as a child visiting such historic sites as Mount Vernon, Stratford Hall, the Smithsonian, the Jefferson Memorial and the Capitol Building.
Closer to home, Lee and his parents visited locations around South Carolina, such as Lowcountry rice plantations and tobacco farms in the Pee Dee. “I've always been able to breathe the history of this nation,” the Chester County native has said. “To appreciate Southern history is to appreciate the many stories of colorful characters who have lived in the Palmetto state.”
Lee also is the author or co-author of 15 books, including two on the Vietnam War, one of which came out during the 25th anniversary of the end of that conflict. He is working on a book with former U.S. Rep. John Napier about bi-partisan legislation, called “Crossing the Aisle.”
Lee’s contributions to Winthrop were recognized in the last decade when a group of his students created the J. Edward Lee Scholarship to provide scholarship money for a graduate student studying history.
This November at the Winthrop Alumni Awards dinner, Lee will receive another major accolade: the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award. It is Winthrop’s highest award given to an alumnus for selfless dedication of time, energy and talent in service to others.
For more information, contact Judy Longshaw, news and media services manager, at longshawj@winthrop.edu or at 803/323-2404.
