Overview

Roland D. Sawyer was a Western Massachusetts state legislator who, over a half-century in politics, tackled some of the state’s thorniest issues. The Political Life of Reverend Roland D. Sawyer by Tyler L. Wolanin offers insight into legislative politics in Massachusetts as it underwent political and economic transitions, urbanization, and unrest. Though Sawyer never attained high office, his longevity and influence allowed him to shape the policy debate on issues such as voting and elections, prohibition, and criminal justice reform. As a minister, socialist, radical, and “cog in the machine,” Sawyer instigated investigations and impeachments, saw a friend become President, lost elections, had half of his district flooded to make a reservoir, and fell into and out of favor with some of the most famous power players in Massachusetts history. A picture of Sawyer emerges from this book as one of the most interesting Massachusetts political figures of the first half of the twentieth century.

Full Product Details

Author:   Tyler L. Wolanin
Publisher:   Lexington Books
Imprint:   Lexington Books/Fortress Academic
Dimensions:   Width: 16.10cm , Height: 2.80cm , Length: 23.70cm
Weight:   0.726kg
ISBN:  

9781666945508

ISBN 10:   1666945501
Pages:   396
Publication Date:   15 June 2024
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Manufactured on demand  
We will order this item for you from a manufactured on demand supplier.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments Introduction Chapter 1: From Kensington to Massachusetts: Sawyer’s Early Years, Religious Education, and First Ministries: 1874―1908 Chapter 2: Socialism: Sawyer’s Journey Into and Out of the Socialist Party: 1908―1913 Chapter 3: Solon in Sandals: Sawyer’s First Years in the Legislature: 1914―1918 Chapter 4: Cal Coolidge: Sawyer in Coolidge’s Massachusetts and America: 1919―1924 Chapter 5: Inevitable: Sawyer’s Nomination for Congress, the Reservoir Fight, and Involvement in the Sacco and Vanzetti Case: 1925―1928 Chapter 6: On the Outs: Sawyer’s Estrangement from the Massachusetts Democratic Establishment: 1928―1932 Chapter 7: Turned the Hose on Him: Sawyer’s Alignment with the Curley Faction and the Repeal of Prohibition: 1932―1934 Chapter 8: The Last Hurrah: Sawyer’s Culture Wars and Work with the Curley Administration: 1935―1936 Chapter 9: The Red Line: Sawyer’s Battles with the Hurley and Saltonstall Administrations and Against Biennial Sessions: 1937―1939 Chapter 10: Not a Rich Man, Not a Crook: Sawyer’s Pardon and Parole Investigation, Redistricting Battle, and Departure from the Legislature: 1939―1940 Chapter 11: After the Legislature: Sawyer’s Final Campaigns, Later Life, and Political Observations: 1941―1969 Bibliography About the Author

Reviews

This book offers a fascinating dive into a time of immense change. Using Roland D. Sawyer's life, Tyler L. Wolanin has portrayed the era in a Massachusetts context, recalling famous political figures and formative events such as the filling of Quabbin Reservoir. --Matt Szafranski, Editor-in-Chief and Founder of 'Western Mass Politics & Insight'

This book offers a fascinating dive into a time of immense change. Using Roland D. Sawyer's life, Tyler L. Wolanin has portrayed the era in a Massachusetts context, recalling famous political figures and formative events such as the filling of Quabbin Reservoir. -- Matt Szafranski, Editor-in-Chief and Founder of 'Western Mass Politics & Insight'

Author Information

Tyler L. Wolanin is research assistant at the Congressional Research Service.

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