This year the Sons of the American Revolution recognized a local author with a national award for his significant contribution to historical literature. Leonard Szaltis, a native of Monmouth, Illinois, received The Minnesota Society, Stephen Taylor Award. This is presented to an individual who “through his research and writing has made the greatest impact on the preservation of history of the American Revolutionary era and its patriots.”
Leonard Szaltis received this distinction for the publication of Chesapeake Bay Privateers in the Revolution. Brooks Lyles, the chair of both the education committee and the history committee of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution said, “there was stiff competition this year” deciding the Stephen Taylor Award. The book focuses on the battles of pirates during the War of Independence. In the foreword, Dr. Hilary G. Derby, Ph.D., aptly describes the privateers discussed in the book as those “who combined patriotism with profit.”
A review by the Journal of the American Revolution states: “Szaltis’ book paints a detailed picture of the Chesapeake Bay region by offering detailed accounts of specific armed conflicts and the activities of individual privateers. To do so, he includes fascinating primary sources which demonstrates the author’s dedication to providing the reader with intricate anecdotes of the activities in the Chesapeake Bay during the Revolution.”
Under normal circumstances, the award is usually presented at the National Congress of the Sons of the American Revolution. Due to the coronavirus, this year’s congress was canceled, so the award was privately given to Mr. Szaltis. Despite that fact, Szaltis says he is still honored by the recognition and has enjoyed providing lectures and presentations to area libraries, historical societies and colleges.
