James Z. George: Mississippis Great Commoner

a biography of the Democratic leader once considered the most important man in state politics "When the Mississippi school boy is asked who is called the Great Commoner of public life in his State," wrote Mississippis premier historian Dunbar Rowland in 1901, "he will unhesitatingly answer James Z. George." While Georges prominence has decreased through the decades since then, many modern historians still view him as a supremely important Mississippian, with one writing that George (1826-1897) was "Mississippis most important Democratic leader in the late nineteenth century." Certainly, the Mexican War veteran, prominent lawyer and planter, Civil War officer, Reconstruction leader, state Supreme Court chief justice, and Mississippis longest-serving United States senator in his day deserves a full biography. Georges importance was greater than just on the state level as other southerners copied his tactics to secure white supremacy in their own states. James Z. George: Mississippis Great Commoner seeks to rectify the lack of attention to Georges life. In doing so, this volume utilizes numerous sources never before or only slightly used, primarily a large collection of Georges letters held by his descendents and never before referenced by historians. Such wonderful sources allow not only a glimpse into his times, but perhaps more importantly an exploration of the man himself, his traits, personality, and ideas. The result is a picture of an extremely commonplace individual on the surface, but an exceptionally complicated man underneath. James Z. George: Mississippis Great Commoner will bring this important Mississippi leader of the nineteenth century back into the minds of twenty-first-century Mississippians. Timothy B. Smith, Adamsville, Tennessee, is a lecturer of history at the University of Tennessee at Martin. He is the author of several books, including Mississippi in the Civil War: The Home Front, published by University Press of Mississippi; The Untold Story of Shiloh: The Battle and the Battlefield; and Champion Hill: Decisive Battle for Vicksburg.