Brian Leigh Dunnigan

Brian Leigh Dunnigan, noted historian and cartographer died on April 10, 2025 at Spring Arbor Assisted Living in Spring Arbor, Michigan from complications of advanced Parkinson's Disease. He was 75 years old.

Dunnigan, was born in Detroit, Michigan on July 11, 1949.  At a very young age, Brian developed a keen interest in early American History, particularly in the areas of the French and Indian War, Great Lakes, and the War of 1812. He was the son of Dorothy and James Dunnigan, one of Mackinac Island's longest serving State Park Commissioners. At an early age Dunnigan's interests were kindled by his involvement with Fort Mackinac on Mackinac Island Michigan, where he spent his childhood and early adult summers. He worked 10 seasons as an historic interpreter at Fort Mackinac, and researched the Fort's special collections of military and Island history.

Dunnigan received both his undergraduate and graduate degrees in History from The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. His second graduate degree was in Museum Management from Cooperstown University in Cooperstown, New York. Brian was a life long member of The Company of Military Historians and fostered many international friendships with its' members.

While in his twenties, Dunnigan become the first Director of Historic Fort Wayne in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Dunnigan then moved onward to manage and direct development of Old Fort Niagara, in Youngstown New York. He was responsible for implementing its many historical reenactment programs, publications, initiating and promoting joint history projects across the border with Canada- at Fort George in Niagara on the Lake, Ontario, and Fort York in Toronto, Ontario. He also served as adjunct faculty to the University of Buffalo.

One of his most outstanding achievements at Niagara was the return of the Fort's historic flag from the War of 1812 from Megginch Castle in Scotland, back to Youngstown New York and its' restoration.

A prolific writer and researcher Dunnigan was a frequent visitor to The William L. Clements Library at the University of Michigan. He joined its' staff in 1996 as Curator in their historical map division.  He was was an expert cartographer of the early Americas. Dunnigan was responsible for The Quarto Magazine, special collections, and extensive exhibits, as well as the acquisition of rare maps which took him to rare book dealers in  Paris and London as well as to basements and storage units in farms and houses in Michigan, and the Midwest.

His two unique and outstanding publications, "Frontier Metropolis" and "A Picturesque Situation" won him international recognition as well as awards from the State of Michigan.  Dunnigan became ' Assistant Director of the Clements Library in 2010. He retired  from the Clements library in 2019 as an Emeritus of the University of Michigan.

Diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2007, Dunnigan continued to work, write, and travel.  An avid horse lover and owner since childhood, Brian rode into his sixties, in spite of Parkinson's. He was a past member of The Waterloo Hunt in Michigan where he earned his colors, and for fourteen years lead the Formal Labor Day Ride every September on Mackinac Island.

Brian Dunnigan was a life long summer resident of Mackinac Island, beginning in 1949. He grew up at his family cottage, Donnybrook on the Island's East Bluff. He resided his last years on Mackinac at Easterly Cottage with his family, horses and pets. Brian is survived by his wife Candice of Mackinac Island and Jackson, Michigan, a son James and son in law Mark Spiegleman and a daughter, Claire. He also leaves his brother Daniel, a sister in law, a brother in law, five nieces and one nephew.

According to his wishes, cremation has taken place.  A memorial service to honor Brian will be held in late June, 2025 on Mackinac Island, Michigan, details to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Dunnigan Fellowship for Cartography at the William L. Clements Library at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI 48109, and The Old Fort Niagara Association,  Box 169 Youngstown, NY 14174.