Hidden History of Memphis

by Dowdy, G. Wayne

• ISBN13: 9781596298750
• ISBN10: 1596298758
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-02-12
• Publisher: History Pr

Summary

Step inside the fascinating annals of the Bluff City's history and discover the Memphis that only few know. G. Wayne Dowdy, longtime archivist for the Memphis Public Library, examines the history and culture of the Mid-South during its most important decades. Well-known faces like Clarence Saunders, Elvis Presley and W.C. Handy are joined by some of the more obscure characters from the past, like the Memphis gangster who inspired one of William Faulkner's most famous novels, the local Boy Scout who captured German spies during World War I, the Memphis radio station that pioneered wireless broadcasting and so many more. Also included are the previously unpublished private papers and correspondence of former mayor E.H. Crump, giving us new insight and a front-row seat to the machine that shaped Tennessee politics in the twentieth century. Book jacket.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	p. 7
Introduction	p. 9
History and Culture
Memphis in the Twentieth Century	p. 13
"The Beethoven of Beale Street": The Relationship between	p. 21
Scouting for Memphians	p. 29
"A Natural Robust Kid": The Criminal Career of	p. 34
Memphis and the Development of Radio Broadcasting	p. 40
"A Date for Saturday Night": Television Comes to	p. 47
Great Information Getters: Memphis Journalists	p. 53
"A People United": The Bluff City during World War.II	p. 58
A Commitment to Innovation: Public Libraries in Memphis	p. 65
Primary and Secondary Sources
"For Public Inspection at Any Time": The Papers of	p. 75
"We Engaged in a Hard Campaign": Primary Sources Related to the 1940 and 1944 Presidential Elections in Shelby County, Tennessee	p. 79
"My Lieutenants Are Your Lieutenants": The Correspondence of	p. 85
"Unquestioned Patriotism": The Life and Papers of	p. 102
The Watkins Overton Papers	p. 109
"A Loyal and Patriotic Citizenry": The Papers of Mayor	p. 111
The Papers of Memphis Mayor Frank Tobey	p. 118
Review of Gateway to Justice: The Juvenile Court and Progressive Child Welfare in a Southern City	p. 121
Review of Historic Photos of Memphis	p. 123
Bibliography	p. 125
About the Author	p. 128
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.