Francis Butler Simkins (1897–1966)

1596 Pitchfork Ben Tillman: South Carolinian, by Francis Butler Simkins (read 20 Nov 1980) I first heard of this book in 1944 and have wanted to read it ever since, and finally have. I would have enjoyed it more in 1944. It is poorly written, and far too favorable to its subject than it would be if it had been written today [in 1980]. Tillman's attitude to the Negro is unbelievable, even defending lynching and saying he'd lead a lynching mob. He was elected Governor in 1890, reelected in 1892, and went to the Senate in 1895, and stayed there till he died. He was planning to run for renomination when he died on 3 July 1918, even though he had been feeble or getting senile when he was reelected in 1912 already. He really is not a worthwhile character, but the book is amateurishly written. Readable, but not well-written.… (mehr)