David Walker
David Walker graduated from Wright State University in 1983 with a BS in Elementary Education. He taught for over 30 years primarily as a 5th grade instructor and then retired and subbed in the classroom until 2020. He also acquired a MS from the same university majoring in History with six areas of competence: The American Revolution up though the Constitution, Jacksonian era to Reconstruction, the Civil Rights Movement, Women in American History, Immigrants in American History, and the Tudors and Stuarts in English History.
As a living historian, David started as a Union soldier in 1987, resuming that interest after a hiatus of a few years, and eventually moved to civilian roles. In 2005 he started interpreting Jefferson Davis, President, C.S.A., and that persona has become his main academic focus in living history, although he occasionally portrays other characters when asked by museums, living history events, and service clubs that need an inspirational speaker. David has presented as Davis in several states, engaging his audiences with lively thought-provoking topics. He met his future wife, Dr. Holly Ray, at the 150th Gettysburg Anniversary, and she eventually joined him as his living history spouse with her portrayal of Varina Davis. David and Holly are members of the Civil War Historical Impressions. David is also a member of Lee’s Lieutenants, Lincoln’s Generals and various Roundtables. He has attended the Lincoln Forum, held in Gettysburg, since 1997, the Civil War Institute since 2007, and has presented at quite a few Civil War Roundtables, reenactments, and has attended too many Civil War Balls to count. David has accumulated about 15 outfits representing the styles that Davis-- or middle aged men-- would have worn during the Civil War years. David has had many articles of clothing recreated after examining clothing President Davis actually wore, and it helps that David--like his alter-ego-- is six feet tall. David also has colonial and regency clothing that he enjoys wearing when attending events with his Merrymaker friends.
The couple resides in northeast Ohio on their farm sharing life with dogs, cats, chickens, peafowl, and a talking parrot. David and Holly also have horses and you may have seen them in the 2021 Gettysburg Remembrance Day parade. David has goals to use Stonewall, a Standardbred, at future living history events.
As a living historian, David started as a Union soldier in 1987, resuming that interest after a hiatus of a few years, and eventually moved to civilian roles. In 2005 he started interpreting Jefferson Davis, President, C.S.A., and that persona has become his main academic focus in living history, although he occasionally portrays other characters when asked by museums, living history events, and service clubs that need an inspirational speaker. David has presented as Davis in several states, engaging his audiences with lively thought-provoking topics. He met his future wife, Dr. Holly Ray, at the 150th Gettysburg Anniversary, and she eventually joined him as his living history spouse with her portrayal of Varina Davis. David and Holly are members of the Civil War Historical Impressions. David is also a member of Lee’s Lieutenants, Lincoln’s Generals and various Roundtables. He has attended the Lincoln Forum, held in Gettysburg, since 1997, the Civil War Institute since 2007, and has presented at quite a few Civil War Roundtables, reenactments, and has attended too many Civil War Balls to count. David has accumulated about 15 outfits representing the styles that Davis-- or middle aged men-- would have worn during the Civil War years. David has had many articles of clothing recreated after examining clothing President Davis actually wore, and it helps that David--like his alter-ego-- is six feet tall. David also has colonial and regency clothing that he enjoys wearing when attending events with his Merrymaker friends.
The couple resides in northeast Ohio on their farm sharing life with dogs, cats, chickens, peafowl, and a talking parrot. David and Holly also have horses and you may have seen them in the 2021 Gettysburg Remembrance Day parade. David has goals to use Stonewall, a Standardbred, at future living history events.