The man given the most credit for exposing the plagiarism-fraud of two highly celebrated first-hand accounts of the American Revolution was later acclaimed as "the father of history in North Dakota."

In the 50 years Orin G. Libby spent in North Dakota, he had influence on the State Historical Society and helped establish the park system

He was born on June 9, 1864, in Wisconsin where he was raised and educated. He taught high school at Patch Grove, Wis., for four years, where he became attracted to one of his students, Eva Cory.

Libby enrolled at the University of Wisconsin, where Frederick Jackson Turner became his mentor. Turner headed the American History program at Wisconsin and, on July 12 of that year, published his "Frontier Thesis," which stated that the westward expansion shaped the American character.

Turner later hired Libby as an instructor in his department at the University of Wisconsin. Like Turner, Libby was soon receiving national recognition.

Libby also debunked two of the standard books on the American Revolution that were incorporated into the work of many American historians. William Gordon and David Ramsay had both written books that contained substantial first person accounts of the Revolution.

Libby's research showed that much of the material in the books was plagiarized, which called into question the veracity of their work. Also, Libby's observations of the migration of birds were printed in national newspapers.

Turner had a big ego, and his onetime friendship turned into a rivalry. He refused to promote Libby to assistant professor or give him a raise in salary. Libby was hoping to marry Cory as soon as he was making enough money to support her.

In order to get a salary increase, Libby was forced to teach ancient history so as to not be in competition with Turner. Libby and Cory were married in 1900, but Libby's bitterness toward Turner increased.

In the spring of 1902, Turner recommended Libby to UND President Webster Merrifield to be an assistant professor of history. Libby was not told about this, and when Merrifield offered him the position, he reluctantly accepted.

When Libby arrived in North Dakota, he became excited because he saw a state that was vibrantly alive in its history. Many of the American Indians who took part in the Battle of the Little Big Horn were still around, as were a number of the early settlers.

Libby brought with him his drive for excellence and accuracy, the seminar method of teaching and a philosophy known as the "Wisconsin Idea," which held that the purpose of a university was "to serve the state's residents."

He put the latter into practice within a few months by reorganizing the State Historical Society. At the time there were only five members, but, by expanding the vision, he brought the membership up to 115 in 1904.

In 1903, Libby became a full professor at UND, formed the North Dakota Audubon Society, and reinvigorated the Historical Society by conducting all of the activities necessary for a vibrant organization.

In 1904, he began acquiring historic sites for the society that would eventually become the start of the North Dakota Park System. In 1905, Libby convinced the state Legislature to make annual appropriation to the society and, with these funds, in 1906, created a library and a museum which were housed at the state Capitol.

Also that year, he started a publication called "Collections of the State Historical Society." This periodical eventually became the "North Dakota Quarterly" and today is called "North Dakota History."

By 1907, Libby had elevated the history program at UND to the point where it was now offering graduate credit. The same year, he also was instrumental in founding the Mississippi Valley Historical Association.

During World War I, Libby had his second major battle with an academic superior. In October 1918, the flu epidemic struck UND and the campus was placed under quarantine. Of the 470 soldiers in training, 320 became ill and 20 died.

Libby was convinced that the college president, Thomas Kane, was responsible because he was incapable of dealing with the situation. Libby and some other faculty members tried to get the popular president removed from office in 1920.

When that failed, Kane turned on Libby and tried to get him fired. When Kane was unable to accomplish that, he cut the history department in half and appointed Clarence Perkins the chairmanship of the European history department.

Although angry, Libby continued his work of enhancing the American history program at UND and expanding the State Historical Society.

In 1944, he retired as secretary of the Historical Society and editor of the Historical Quarterly to devote his full time to teaching.

What he did not realize was that plans were already being made to relieve him of his teaching position. UND President John C. West informed Libby that the current academic year would be his last year of teaching. Although he remained in Grand Forks until his death on March 29, 1952, a bitter Libby never set foot on the UND campus.

(Written by Curt Eriksmoen and edited by Jan Eriksmoen. Reach the Eriksmoens by e-mail at cjeriksmoen@cableone.net.)