The Political Life of Reverend Roland D. Sawyer

by Tyler L. Wolanin

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 the state 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, former socialist, sometime-radical, and “cog in the machine,” Sawyer instigated investigations and impeachments, lost elections, saw a friend become president, 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. Emerging from this book, Sawyer is portrayed as one of the most interesting Massachusetts political figures from the first half of the twentieth century.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781666945515
Publisher:	Lexington Books
Publication date:	05/29/2024
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	396
File size:	832 KB

About the Author

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

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

Editorial Reviews

Tyler L. Wolanin has done an excellent job of revealing the varied career of Roland D. Sawyer, who was a socialist, congregational minister, Massachusetts state representative, and defender of Sacco and Vanzetti. This book ably fills a need that has existed for a long time for a biography of the political and private life of an extraordinary man.

J. R. Greene

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

Tyler L. Wolanin has done an excellent job of revealing the varied career of Roland D. Sawyer, who was a socialist, congregational minister, MA state representative, and defender of Sacco and Vanzetti. This book ably fills a need that has existed for a long time for a biography of the political and private life of an extraordinary man.

J.R. Greene