John K. Mahon

Who was John K. Mahon?

John K. Mahon received his BA from Swarthmore College in 1934 graduating Phi Beta Kappa. After serving in World War II and working for his family he later returned to his studies and earned his PhD in history from UCLA in 1950.

From 1951 to 1954, he served as Civilian Military Historian in the Office of the Chief of Military History in Washington D.C.

In 1954 Mahon accepted a teaching position in the history department at the University of Florida. His interest in Military history and the Seminoles led to his three books, as well as numerous articles for encyclopedias and historical journals.

His work "History of the Second Seminole War" is considered by some as the authoritative modern reference on the little-known but regional and nationally important last great war of Indian Removal east of the Mississippi. Mahon documents the American, Seminole and Black cultures, leaders, and tactics of the war.

He served as the chairman of the History Department at the University of Florida from 1965 to 1973.

After retiring in 1972, Mahon continued to pursue his interest in history. In addition, he was a founder of the Alachua Audubon Society and Florida Defenders of the Environment.