CARSON STEVEN LEE CARSON Historian, Lecturer, Playwright, Editor Steven Lee Carson, 66, Historian, international Lincoln lecturer, writer, editor, and playwright, passed March 27, 2009 in his home in Silver Spring, Maryland. Steven obtained his Bachelor of Science degree at New York University, where he was the recipient of a Ford Foundation Fellowship. He received his Masters degree from The Johns Hopkins University, where he was awarded the Charles Carroll Fulton Fellowship. In his professional life, he lived and worked in the Washington area, working at the National Archives, editing and writing for 15 years, the international quarterly, The Manuscript Society News and other notable positions. Mr. Carson was the Chairman of the White House Conference on Presidential Children and the past Chairman of the National Press Club Conference on Covering White House Families. He also was the past President of the Lincoln Group of the District of Columbia (LGDC). He is credited with bringing the LGDC into modern times financially, legally, and organizationally. Steven was a member of the Board of Trustees of the United States Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, the Abraham Lincoln Institute, the Lincoln Forum and the Lincoln Group of Illinois. Most recently, he served as a Presidential Historian at the Woodrow Wilson House in Washington, D.C. Mr. Carson grew up in New York, always considered himself a New Yorker and never lost his love for deli food and the Theater. Throught his life, he was an active lecturer using his love of history, drama and humor to bring his interesting and informative speeches to thousands. He has delivered addresses in The White House, The Kremlin, The U.S. Capitol, The Lincoln Memorial, Ford''s Theater, The Smithsonian Institution, The National Archives, The Library of Congress, The Belfast, Northern Ireland Parliament, over the Voice of America and throughout the United States. Most of the famous personalities covered in his speeches include the celebrities he met and worked with at The White House or as a member of The National Press Club. Steven has also spoken on the eldest son of Abraham Lincoln, Robert Todd Lincoln: Sole Witness to Three Presidential Assassinations. Carson wrote a play on the life of Robert Todd Lincoln, which was presented at Ford''s Theater. Mr. Carson also had a long passion in collecting manuscripts and autographs of Presidents and Lincoln memorabilia. Over the years, Mr. Carson also conducted tours of historical Washington, D.C. landmarks, from Lafayette Park to Arlington National Cemetery. . Steven has a long history of mingling with stars and the movers and shakers of our time. In his speeches, he gave intimate glimpses of leaders from Kings and Queens, to spiritual leaders to entertainers to presidents, prime ministers and dictators. Steven always found a way to enlighten and entertain his audiences. Steve Carson was unique, intelligent, spiritually focused and generous. He had a rich and interesting life and always expressed that his greatest treasure and love was his family and friends, of which he had many. He will be greatly missed. Survivors include his mother Mattie Carson (98) of New York City, who accompanied Steven to NY Civil War Round Table meetings when he was 14 and for many years later, his brother Michael, sister-in-law Mary, niece Maggie and nephew Matthew and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Visitation will be Thursday, April 2, from 7 to 9 p.m. at COLLINS FUNERAL HOME, 500 University Blvd., Silver Spring, MD. 20901 (301-593-9500). Graveside services will be Friday, April 3, 1:30 p.m. at Rock Creek Church Cemetery, 201 Allison St. NW., Washington, DC 20010 (202-829-0585). A memorial service will be held Tuesday, April 14, 6:30 p.m. at the Woodrow Wilson House, 2340 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Lincoln Group, Washington, DC or to the Woodrow Wilson House.

Published in the Washington Post