Douglas W. Bostick

Historian, Author, SC Battleground Preservation Trust Executive Director

A dedicated historian and gifted storyteller, Douglas W. Bostick (1953–2023) was born in August 1953 on James Island, South Carolina. An eighth-generation South Carolinian, his family roots in the Palmetto State stretched back to colonial times and included an ancestor who served as secretary of the Sons of Liberty during the Revolutionary War.

Bostick earned his bachelor's degree from the College of Charleston and his master's degree from the University of South Carolina. He taught at the University of South Carolina and the University of Maryland and authored approximately 26 nonfiction books on subjects ranging from Revolutionary War history to South Carolina horse racing and Lowcountry foodways.

Doug Bostick
Photo by Sarah Nell Blackwell

Throughout his career, Bostick contributed to numerous Charleston-area institutions, including Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum and Save the Light, Inc. His extensive community involvement reflected a commitment to education, historic preservation and public service.

In 2011, Bostick became executive director and CEO of the South Carolina Battleground Preservation Trust (SCBPT), beginning more than a decade of leadership dedicated to protecting and interpreting the state's Revolutionary War heritage. He served as chief research historian for the organization's projects, overseeing archaeological investigations and historical research, including work associated with the discovery and reburial of Revolutionary War soldiers at Camden Battlefield.

Among his most enduring achievements was his leadership in establishing The Liberty Trail, a collaborative initiative between SCBPT and the American Battlefield Trust to preserve South Carolina's Revolutionary War battlefields and connect historic sites through innovative interpretation. His efforts helped protect hundreds of acres of historic battlefield land while making the state's Revolutionary War history more accessible to new generations.

Douglas W. Bostick passed away on October 23, 2023, at the age of 70. Remembered for his larger-than-life personality, generosity and remarkable storytelling abilities, he left a lasting legacy in South Carolina's preservation community. His work continues to connect visitors with the places and stories that shaped the American Revolution.