2008 Hall of Fame Inductee
Art T. Burton

Art T. Burton

2008 Hall of Fame Inductee

Professor of History, South Suburban College, South Holland, Illinois.

Books

Black Gun, Silver Star: The Life and Legend of Frontier Marshal Bass Reeves. University of Nebraska Press, 2006. Spur Award as a finalist for Best Biography (2007) from the Western Writers of America.

Black, Buckskin and Blue: African American Scouts and Soldiers on the Western Frontier. Eakin Press, Austin TX, 1999.

Black, Red and Deadly: Black and Indian Gunfighters of the Indian Territory, 1870 – 1907. Eakin Press, Austin, TX 1991.

Art T. Burton has written numerous historical articles for magazines and journals.

Education

M.A. Ethnic Studies, Governors State University, 1977.

B.A. Cultural Studies, Governors State University, 1976.

Honors

Who’s Who in Black Chicago: for outstanding historical contributions in History/Academia 2007.

Outstanding Research and Lectures, Oklahoma Historical Society, 2002

Black Image Award, Mahogany Foundation, 1998

Oklahoma Territorial Marshal, 1993

Certificate of Appreciation, Black Texas Historical Society 1991

Outstanding Young Man of America: for professional achievement, superior leadership ability, and service to the community 1983 and 1990.

Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities, 1976 -77

Organizations

Trustee, Village of Phoenix, IL 1986-96 and 2000 to present

Vice President,   IL High School District 205 School Board, 2005 to present

Board Member, Oklahombres (Association for the Study of Lawmen and Outlaw in Oklahoma and Indian Territories)

Secretary, Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (A.A.C.M.), Chicago

Comments concerning Art T. Burton’s publications

Black, Red and Deadly:

“It is a meaningful addition to my library, especially with the recent dedication of the Buffalo Soldier Monument. Your book illuminates another exciting chapter in the story of the outstanding contributions made by African Americans to our Nation’s history.”

General Colin L. Powell, U.S. Armed Services, Retired Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

“Burton’s true tales about Black men of iron resolve such as U.S. Deputy Marshal Bass Reeves are a breakthrough for minority groups who often feel left out of the dominant American myth of the cowboy. Burton might have focused on Reeves alone, but his wider, wiser view includes many more Indian and black gunfighters, lawmen, outlaws…”

Michael Martin Murphy, Cowboy Singer & Songwriter

Albuquerque Journal

Black, Buckskin and Blue:

“In the tradition of great storytelling historians of the frontier genre, Art Burton applies his skills once again to destroying the artificial ethnic boundaries which still pollute today’s popular image of the historic Western frontier…

“Much recent scholarship has been produced on the Buffalo Soldiers, but precious little on African American trappers, trailblazers, and scouts. This book fills many gaps in their published record. We’ve heard their names. Now here is their story.”

    -Henry B. Crawford, Curator of History, Museum of Texas Tech University

Black Gun, Silver Star:

“Art Burton has resurrected a heroic Black U. S. Deputy Marshal that thieves and outlaws in the Indian Territory could not kill but who was practically eliminated by scholars of frontier history.”

Bruce T. Fisher, Curator of African American History, Oklahoma Historical Society

Television appearances:

BET’s Teen Summit, 1993, with Mario Van Peeples, discussing the movie “Posse” and the historical relevance of African Americans on the western frontier.

History Channel, 1994 “Outlaws:  The Ten Most Wanted.”

History Channel, 1994, “The Law from Behind the Tin Star.”

History Channel, 2000, Movies In Time, “Posse.”

History Channel, 2004, Wild West Tech, “Bounty Hunters.”

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