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The West Virginia Encyclopedia
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The West Virginia Encyclopedia
Author and historian Boyd Blynn Stutler (July 10, 1889-February 19, 1970) was born in Gilmer County. At 18, he became the owner, editor, and publisher of the Grantsville News in neighboring Calhoun County. Three years later Stutler was elected mayor of Grantsville, the Calhoun County seat. He later served as president of the board of education of the Grantsville school district. Stutler enlisted in the army in World War I, rising to the rank of sergeant and serving with distinction in the American offensives of 1918.
After the war, Stutler became chief clerk to the superintendent of public printing at the state capitol. During the 1920s, he authored several publications, became managing editor of the West Virginia Review magazine, and served as associate editor of the 1929 West Virginia Encyclopedia. In 1931, Stutler co-wrote a textbook on West Virginia history. He later served as a managing editor and director of the West Virginia Historical Education Foundation, and president of the West Virginia Historical Society. He was an avid collector of materials relating to abolitionist John Brown. In 1963, his book West Virginia in the Civil War was published. In 1976, Stutler’s John Brown materials were acquired by the State Archives and now comprise a significant research collection.
Stutler was also active in veterans’ affairs, serving as a leader at the local and national levels. He was managing editor of the American Legion magazine from 1936 until 1954. During World War II, he was a war correspondent in the Pacific, and witnessed the Japanese surrender aboard the USS Missouri.
Boyd B. Stutler was buried in Sunset Memorial Park in South Charleston.
Written by Joe Geiger
West Virginia Review, (Jan. 1937).
Boyd Stutler Collection, State Archives. .