Russell Magnaghi
Russell Magnaghi was born in San Francisco in the middle of World War II, but has lived in Michigan's Upper Peninsula since 1969. Magnaghi received his education at the University of San Francisco (BA 1965) and at St. Louis University (Ph.D. 1970). Magnaghi has had a 45-year teaching career at Northern Michigan University and also served as director of the Center for Upper Peninsula Studies. He has written many journal and newspaper articles and books and has given talks on local heritage and regional history.
History Behind the Fence: The Marquette General Hospital Complex
Dr. Russell Magnaghi gives a fascinating overview of the history of Marquette’s early hospitals and how Marquette General Hospital came to be.
The Upper Peninsula of Wisconsin?
Dr. Russell Magnaghi’s latest article details the historical complexities and disputes that led to the attachment of the Upper Peninsula to the state of Michigan, instead of Wisconsin.
John D. Voelker, Food, and Drink
John Voelker–aka Robert Traver–was the best-known author of the twentieth-century Upper Peninsula, with Anatomy of a Murder being his best-known work. In this article, Dr. Russell Magnaghi delves into how John Voelker presented food and drink in his works and concludes with a look at Voelker’s legendary food habits.
Alcohol Drinking in the Upper Peninsula
Dr. Russell Magnaghi gives a detailed overview of the history of alcohol regulation in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
The Twelve Days of Christmas
We have all heard the rhyme “The Twelve Days of Christmas” set to music, but what we are not familiar with is its serious purpose when it was written. Dr. Russell Magnaghi explains its history and what the twelve parts of the song originally meant.
The Upper Peninsula’s Ukrainian Heritage
Historian Dr. Russel Magnaghi gives an overview of Ukrainian heritage in the Upper Peninsula, and through this exploration he answers the question “did Ukrainians settle in the Upper Peninsula?”
The Jesuits Open the Upper Peninsula to the World
Historian and author Russell Magnaghi gives a fascinating overview of how the Jesuits explored the Upper Peninsula area in the 17th and 18th centuries and their great contributions to expanding the knowledge of the region’s environment and people.
My Memories of John X. Jamrich
NMU History Professor Emeritus Dr. Russell Magnaghi shares some of his memories of the late John X. Jamrich, NMU’s third-longest serving president. Jamrich passed away February 20, 2022 at the age of 101.
“Lost” Labor History of the Upper Peninsula
Historian and author Russell Magnaghi gives an overview of the early labor history in the Upper Peninsula, spanning from the late 19th century to the early 20th century.
Buffalo in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
Historian Russell Magnaghi gives a fascinating overview of the history of buffalo in the Upper Peninsula.
