Burton K. Wheeler of Montana
By Ray Hill Few members of the United States Senate had as colorful or stormy a career as Burton Kendall Wheeler of Montana. The fact Wheeler came to represent Montana…
The Senate’s Dandy: James Hamilton Lewis of Illinois
By Ray Hill It seems highly unlikely anyone could be elected to any office today if he or she exhibited just a few of the eccentricities that were a part…
Senator Ellison DuRant Smith of South Carolina
By Ray Hill Ellison DuRant Smith was one of the more colorful figures in South Carolina’s oftentimes turbulent political history. It was frequent said, “His name is Ellison DuRant Smith…
Robert Rice Reynolds of North Carolina
By Ray Hill In a time when the South had some of the most flamboyant politicians in the country, few exceeded Robert Rice Reynolds of North Carolina for his flair. …
Senator Walter F. George: George of Georgia
By Ray Hill Walter F. George was, during his time, one of the most respected and powerful members of the United States Senate. Senator George was a man of innate,…
Alben W. Barkley of Kentucky
By Ray Hill During his time, Alben W. Barkley was one of the most famous public officials in the country. Barkley was renowned for his oratory and could be depended…
Tom Connally of Texas
By Ray Hill When folks think in terms of Texas and Connally, the late Governor John Connally usually comes to mind, but there was another Connally who enjoyed a much…
David I. Walsh of Massachusetts
By Ray Hill When folks think of successful Irish politicians from Massachusetts, they tend to think in terms of the Kennedys, John and Ted. Yet the first and most enduring…
Thunder On the Mountain: Matthew M. Neely of West Virginia
By Ray Hill Matthew Mansfield Neely may be the most resilient politician in our nation’s history. Perhaps the only person in recorded history who made a better comeback than Neely…
A Feudin’ Son of Tennessee: Kenneth McKellar, Chapter 22
By Ray Hill On January 29, 1952, Kenneth McKellar celebrated his eighty-third birthday. He had served as Tennessee’s United States Senator for quite nearly thirty-six years after almost six…
