Derek Maxfield
Derek Maxfield as Gen. Ulysses S. Grant
Founder of Rudely Stamp’d Historical Impressions, Derek D. Maxfield is retired professor of history and professional historian.
He is the author and director of our current productions “Now We Stand By Each Other Always” and “Grant on the Eve of Victory,” as well as “Brothers at Odds: The Brisbane Story,” which was performed in 2022 as part of the Landmark Society of Genesee County’s efforts to raise awareness for the fate of the Brisbane Mansion in Batavia, NY. His impressions include General Ulysses S. Grant, George Brisbane, and General John Martindale.
Derek is the author of two books in the Emerging Civil War Series published by Savas Beatie, Man of Fire: William Tecumseh Sherman in the Civil War and Hellmira: The Union’s Most Infamous Civil War Prison Camp – Elmira, NY. He has written for the Emerging Civil War blog since 2015. His essay “Re-Creating War in Peaceful Fields: Catharsis Through Reenacting” was published in the book The Civil War and Pop Culture in 2023.
He holds a BA in History from SUNY Cortland and an MA in History from Villanova University. He was also a PhD candidate at SUNY at Buffalo, where he is ABD (all but dissertation). Prior to his retirement in 2025, Maxfield taught history and political science at the college level for over twenty years.
Maxfield’s research interests include 19th century politics and culture, especially Victorian deathways, cemetery art, and the Civil War. An accomplished speaker and presenter, he has delivered book talks and historical lectures across the country and appeared on C-SPAN in 2020.
For more information about Derek Maxfield, or to book him for a speaking engagement, you can visit his website at www.ddmaxfield.com.
Dan Snyder
Dan Snyder in the role of Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman
Dan Snyder is a professor of speech communication who has performed with Rudely Stamp’d since 2022. An accomplished musician, Dan has been performing on stage as a drummer since 1985 and currently plays with the Rochester, NY based ska/swing/soul group Five Head.
New to the role of William Tecumseh Sherman in “Now We Stand By Each Other Always,” Dan previously played the role of Albert Brisbane in the play “Brothers at Odds: The Brisbane Story,” which he has since reprised in ghost walk performances of the character as a fundraiser for the Historic Batavia Cemetery.
Jess Maxfield
Jess Maxfield as Julia Dent Grant and Reporter George Alfred Townsend
Jess Maxfield is a newly minted historian, academic advisor, and former reference librarian. She holds an MS in Library and Information Science and an MA in History from SUNY at Buffalo. Her appendix chapter “Reckoning with the General: Sherman in American Memory” was published in Derek Maxfield’s book Man of Fire in 2023.
Jess has performed with Rudely Stamp’d since 2020 as Julia Grant in “Now We Stand By Each Other Always” and George Alfred Townsend in “Grant on the Eve of Victory.” Working largely behind the scenes, Jess is the production manager and one of the group’s producers. She oversees and manages the Rudely Stamp’d website, marketing, and social media.
Tom Schobert
Tom Schobert has portrayed Gen. Robert E. Lee and Gen. John Rawlins
Tom Schobert, from West Seneca NY, is a retired health care services administrator and U.S. Army officer. He graduated from Canisius College in Buffalo, NY earning both a BA in History and MS in Education.
A long-time historical impressionist based out of Buffalo, NY, Tom has performed as Millard Fillmore, William Fargo, Robert E. Lee, and many others. He has portrayed both military and civilian characters from the Revolutionary War era through the U.S. Civil War as part of the Cemetery tour series at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo, NY.
He joined Rudely Stamp’d in 2017 and has performed with the group many times. He is also the author of the book Hush The Cannon’s Roar: The Life & Times of Bennet Riley: Defender of Buffalo.
Quincy Maxfield
Quincy Maxfield as Sarah Brisbane
Usually behind the scenes, Quincy Maxfield has volunteered with Rudely Stamp’d since 2017 as stage manager for local productions. In 2022, she took to the stage and performed in the role of Sarah Brisbane in the play “Brothers at Odds: The Brisbane Story.”
In addition to Rudely Stamp’d, Quincy served as a performer, stage manager, and assistant manager for several productions with the BUM Players of Brockport, NY.
Michael Gosselin
Michael Gosselin as Gen. Emory Upton
R. Michael Gosselin is associate professor of English and rhetoric. Originally from Boston but now living in Rochester, NY, Michael is a fervid student of history, especially the American Civil War.
He has published articles on the memoirs of both U. S. Grant and William T. Sherman and has written for the Emerging Civil War blog since 2022. Michael has appendix chapters published in both Derek Maxfield’s books Man of Fire and Hellmira, on Sherman’s memoirs and Mark Twain’s history in Elmira, NY, respectively.
Tracy Ford
Tracy Ford as Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman
Tracy Ford is the co-founder of Rudely Stamp’d Historical Impressions. He formerly played the role of Gen. William T. Sherman in “Now We Stand By Each Other Always” until his retirement in 2020.
An associate professor of English, Tracy has a BA in English, an MA in Literature, and an MATW. Additionally, he has purchased several meaningless, honorary degrees online, and he is inordinately proud of these. A natural storyteller and performer, he has portrayed preachers, poets, peasants, pirates, and Elizabethan gentlemen for various organizations and in his role as an educator.
His appendix chapter “Becoming Sherman” was published in Derek Maxfield’s book Man of Fire in 2023.
Rudely Stamp'd Historical Impressions 