“Tell me, if you can, of anything that’s finer than an evening in camp with a rare old friend and a dog after one’s own heart.” ~ Nash Buckingham, 1934
Theophilus Nash Buckingham (May 31, 1880-March 10, 1971) was the son of Miles Sherman and Annie Gyfford Buckingham. Born and raised in Memphis, his upbringing laid the groundwork for the man he would later become.
His experiences in the north Delta of Mississippi and in West Tennessee resulted in him becoming one of the most well-known conservationists in the Mississippi River Valley and one of the greatest outdoor writers in our nation. Known to all as Nash Buckingham, he is perhaps most famous for his collection of short stories entitled De Shootinest Gent’man.
Known for his proper courtesy and respect for his fellow man, he believed in and followed the “Golden Rule” of treating others as he wanted to be treated.
From an early age, Buckingham was a first-rate wing shot and praised for his shooting skills. He was also known for his knowledge of the waterfowl he hunted and impeccable hunting ethics.
His writing skills brought him more notoriety. As a master of dialect, Buckingham was able to fully capture the relationships and words of those he came in contact with, especially those of the African Americans he encountered on hunting adventures.
For anyone intimately tied to the South, Buckingham’s words would take on all the richness of the culture as they could see, hear and smell the landscapes and conversations he relayed in his work. Regardless of region, the reviewers also picked up on this special ability of his.
Buckingham gave generously of his time and efforts to promote the betterment of hunting, sporting literature and the preservation of the American outdoors tradition.
He was a visionary sportsman in his time: that sportsmen are responsible for being stewards of the waterfowl resource for generations to come. With his shrewd perception, he was one of the first to recognize the various ways in which the sporting world was changing.
Buckingham helped to found the Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA), an organization I have been a member of for over 25 years, in the hopes of having a further reach. The OWAA’s mission is “to improve the professional skills of our mentors, set the highest ethical and communications standards, encourage public enjoyment and conservation of natural resources, and be mentors for the next generation of professional outdoor communicators.”
Buckingham’s career as an outdoor writer and a conservationist won many awards for his work. His tales of hunting would draw regional and national attention to the places he referred to in his writings. Beaver Dam was one of those places.
James L. Cummins is executive director of Wildlife Mississippi, a nonprofit, conservation organization founded to conserve, restore and enhance fish, wildlife and plant resources throughout Mississippi. The website is www.wildlifemiss.org.
