THOMASVILLE — Because of a fascination with how things got started, the subject of R.C. Balfour III’s 10th book was born.

About 18 months ago, Thomasville resident Balfour began writing “The Major Events of Human History” with his son, David M. Balfour, also a Thomasville resident.

“He did the research. I did the composing,” the elder Balfour said.

“I just started about the beginning of time,” Balfour said, pointing out that no two people would pick the same events.

His choices are personal — based on his faith and interests.

Balfour, 93, writes about God, Abraham and the coming of Christ.

“I wanted to get my confessional faith. It’s sort of hidden. It doesn’t hit you in the face,” he said. “The main event in the book is the coming of Christ.

However, Balfour wants the reader to choose what is most important to them.

In addition to the creation of mankind and other Biblical happenings, Balfour writes about:

• The First Persian Empire

• The Greek civilization and culture

• The Roman Empire

• Discovery of the New World

• The Atomic age

• The Computer Age

• The Space Age

The book is dedicated to “the glory of God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, who has sustained me for over 92 years.”

Balfour graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Georgia with a degree in political science. His business career was spent in land management and lumber manufacturing, with an emphasis on environmental stewardship.

He served the Diocese of Georgia as chairman of the Evangelism and Stewardship Commission and was later elected to the the General Convention of the Episcopal Church.

A former Thomasville City Commission member, Balfour served as chairman of the Archbold Medical Center board.

Balfour and his wife, Virginia, have five children, eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

In the book’s epilogue, Balfour and his co-author say the next major event might be spiritual in nature, an event that would require another spectacular move by the Creator, which they believe is always possible.

“This mighty and breath-taking occurrence is then our pick for the next major event,” the father and son wrote.

Ann Delaney, Balfour’s secretary for more than than 50 years, designed the book’s cover. In addition to David Balfour, other family members helped bring the book to fruition.

The elder Balfour writes that there is no perfect authority on the beginning of the universe, only intelligent speculation. 

“Consequently, my description involves a little science, religion and a lot of imagination,” he said. 

Some of the illustrations in the book are by a Tallahassee, Florida, artist. Other artwork and photographs were purchased.

Will the nonagenarian write an 11th book?

Balfour laughed and said, “That’s the $64,000 question.”

Depending on the author’s eyesight and health, an 11th book is not out of the question, and it might be about politics, a subject that has always piqued Balfour’s interest.

Balfour said he was fascinated by the recent presidential election “and what was said on both sides.”

He added, ” … Here it is coming back to Georgia.”

For locations where “The Ten Major Events of Human History” is available, go to Balfour’s Facebook page at R.C Balfour III.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820