Heidelberg University in western Germany was founded in 1386. Gavin Stevens became the most educated man in Yoknapatawpha when he took his doctorate there early in the 20th century.
During the Civil War Atlanta was an important railroad hub. The "retreat on and then from Atlanta" mentioned in the novel as part of General Compson's biography took place over the summer of 1864 (20). Union forces under Sherman finally occupied the city on September 2, 1864.
Shiloh, in southwestern Tennessee, was the location of a major battle during the Civil War on April 6-7th, 1862. In the South the battle was referred to as Pittsburg Landing.
