The University of Tennessee Press Publishes “Senator Kenneth McKellar: Feudin' Son of Tennessee” by Ray Hill

The University of Tennessee Press has published Senator Kenneth McKellar: Feudin' Son of Tennessee by Ray Hill. Released on June 10, it is now available in hardcover and ebook formats.

Kenneth McKellar was a Democratic politician from Memphis, Tennessee, who represented the state in both the U.S. House of Representatives and in the U.S. Senate. Though not a Tennessean by birth, this Alabama-born and -educated lawyer remains Tennessee’s longest-serving congressman at 42 years of service. He is one of a short list of congresspeople in American history who have served for that length of time.

Senator Kenneth McKellar: Feudin’ Son of Tennessee by Ray Hill is the first full-length biography on McKellar to date. In it, Hill chronicles McKellar’s life and legacy in Tennessee and beyond, touching on his relationships to both Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson as well as his unwavering support for the Tennessee Valley Authority when it was first introduced in 1933.

This meticulously researched title closes a gap in the scholarship written on one of Tennessee’s most prominent political figures, tracing his career through historic milestones while painting a colorful, nuanced portrait of the senator’s character and convictions. Hill, who is well known for his long-running history column in The Knoxville Focus newspaper, has been involved in state politics as a deputy clerk for over 22 years.

Hill pored over scores of newspaper articles both on McKellar’s political career and on politics in Tennessee, making this book an exceptional choice for both students of political science and those who wish to learn more about Tennessee’s place in U.S. politics in the early twentieth century.

Senator Kenneth McKellar: Feudin' Son of Tennessee is available for purchase at utpress.org and wherever books are sold.

To connect with the author, review copies, or for course adoption information, please contact Stephanie Phillips, publicity and promotion coordinator for UT Press (sphill36@utk.edu or (865) 974-6106).

The University of Tennessee Press is the Volunteer State’s book publisher, committed to preserving and promoting the rich cultural and intellectual heritage of Tennessee and the region. Through its focused publishing program, it strives to deepen appreciation for the communities, ecosystems, and histories that make the state unique. Its mission is to enlighten readers, foster cultural dialogue, and improve the quality of life for the people of Tennessee and around the world. UT Press is a division of the University of Tennessee Libraries. For more information, visit www.utpress.org.