I was dismayed when I read a BuzzFeed article January 6, 2015, and saw how it attempted to use my words in a subtly-crafted attack on Dr. Ben Carson’s character by accusing him of plagiarism.
Since the article specifically mentioned me, I feel that it is incumbent that I respond.
I had the privilege of serving on the board of a university with Dr. Carson for several years. In the course of our visits, he mentioned that he was in the process of writing a book on America.
I told him about my books and suggested them to him.
I later was able to hand him copies as we shared a shuttle ride on campus to one of the committee meetings. I told him that I hoped he would find them interesting and that he had full permission to use any of the material in the books as he liked.
Dr. Carson, with the help of his wife and co-author Candy, corresponded with me numerous times via email and telephone, even forwarding me his manuscript to read, which I gladly did and gave my approval.
One of the books I gave him was specifically designed to be quoted – America’s God and Country Encyclopedia of Quotations,
with a subtitle,
“Highlighting America’s Noble Heritage, Profound Quotes From Founding Fathers, Presidents, Statesmen, Scientists, Constitutions, Court Decisions…For Use In Speeches, Papers, Debates, Essays…”
Back cover wording encourages readers to quote the book:
“Easy To Use…Excellent Reference…For Use In: Journalism Articles, Civic and Campaign Addresses, High School and College Papers, Letters to Editors, Elected Officials…”
The book has, thankfully, been well-received, being quoted by thousands of authors, speakers, politicians, professors, radio and television hosts, judges in court decisions, speeches on the floor of Congress, etc.
Through over a dozen reprints, the book has gone through editorial improvements, such as the correction of typographical errata and improving source references.
To further facilitate users to quote from the book, on inside front page is: “Conditions of Use – Permission is granted to duplicate 10,000 words or less…provided acknowledgment is given…”
Dr. Carson has gone far beyond others in giving acknowledgment to my book in his America the Beautiful, such as:
CHAPTER 3: ARE WE A CHRISTIAN NATION OR NOT?, p. 50
“I am so grateful for people such as former congressional candidate William Federer, who has done extraordinary research to uncover documents revealing the true sentiments and beliefs of our founders.”
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS, p. 197
I wish heartily to thank: Josh Sloan, Sealy Yates, Bob Hudson, Bill Federer, Scott Macdonald, Don Gates, and the entire team who worked tirelessly to get this book published.
NOTES, p. 200
Chapter 2: “Who Are We The People”?
8. William J. Federer, America’s God and Country Encyclopedia of Quotations (St. Louis, Amerisearch, 2000), 458.
9. Federer, America’s God and Country, 453
Chapter 3: Are We a Judeo-Christian Nation or Not?
2. Federer, America’s God and Country, 635
3. Federer, America’s God and Country, 654, National Day of Thanksgiving Proclamations, October 3, 1789.
8. Federer, America’s God and Country, 248-49.
9. Federer, America’s God and Country, George Washington, 634; John Adams, 4; Alexander Hamilton, 273; Daniel Webster, 668; Thomas Paine, 489; John Locke, 397; John Madison, 409.
Chapter 4: A Different School of Thought
6. Federer, America’s God and Country, 206 (source quote p. 746).
7. Federer, America’s God and Country, 680.
Chapter 7: What Is A Moral Nation?
4. Federer, America’s God and Country, 240.
With 16 acknowledgments and citations, it is obvious that Dr. Ben Carson made demonstrable effort to make proper attribution. Indeed, his overt acknowledgments have resulted in numerous individuals contacting me to purchase my book.
I feel misrepresented in the BuzzFeed article. Publishing errors, called errata, are not plagiarism. Any missing attributions were simply editor’s oversight.
It is disingenuous for BuzzFeed to level the accusation of plagiarism against Dr. Carson.
To further illustrate the editor had simply overlooked errors, in one of the endnotes, instead of James Madison, the editor had left “John Madison.”
Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who is honored by a U.S. Federal holiday every third Monday in January, was accused of having plagiarized in his doctoral dissertation and speeches, in that he neglected to give proper attribution to his sources.
In my opinion, Dr. Carson has demonstrated sincere and honest attempts to give proper attribution to the source of my quote book, and for this I am grateful.
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Mr. Federer’s bio:
WILLIAM J. FEDERER is a nationally known speaker, best-selling author, and president of Amerisearch, Inc., a publishing company dedicated to researching America’s noble heritage. His AMERICAN MINUTE radio feature is broadcast daily on stations across America and his Faith in History TV program airs daily on DirecTV via the TCT Network. A former U.S. Congressional Candidate, Bill has appeared on: CSPAN, FOX, The Blaze, Hannity, O’Reilly Factor, NPR, MSNBC, CBN, TBN, FOX Strategy Room, and CSPAN BookTV. He has been interviewed on Focus on the Family, G. Gordon Liddy, Michael Medved, Michael Reagan, Common Sense Radio w/Ollie North, Armstrong Williams, Salem Radio Network, Bott Radio Network, and Phyllis Schlafly Live and thousands others. He has been quoted/referenced in Federal Court Cases, Congressional Addresses, Legislative Hearings, USA Today, Human Events, New York Times, Washington Times, Washington Post, Roll Call, National Review, WND.com, TownHall.com, NewsMax.com, Crosswalk.org, CitizenLink.com, and DailyCaller.com. His book “AMERICA’S GOD AND COUNTRY ENCYCLOPEDIA OF QUOTATIONS” has sold over a half-million copies. Other books include:
CHANGE TO CHAINS-The 6000 year quest for global control;
THE INTERESTING HISTORY OF INCOME TAX;
THE ORIGINAL 13-A Documentary History of Religion in America’s First Thirteen States; and
WHAT EVERY AMERICAN NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT THE QUR’AN-A History of Islam & the U.S.
MIRACLES IN AMERICAN HISTORY-32 Amazing Stories of Answered Prayer
Bill had worked in real estate, oil & gas industry (Santa Fe Industries `81-`84), and held positions with community organizations, charity groups, churches – working with youth, families, elderly and minorities. Bill married his high school sweetheart, Susan Maria Misko in 1981, and they have four grown children.
