Holy Cross Professor Publishes Book on American Social Activist who Warned of the Dangers of Economic Inequality

Edward T. O’Donnell, associate professor of history at the College of the Holy Cross, recently released a new book titled “Henry George and the Crisis of Inequality: Progress and Poverty in the Gilded Age,” published by Columbia University Press on June 9, 2015. O’Donnell, who specializes in 19th century U.S. urban history and Irish-American history, among other fields, published this biography on a 19th century American social activist, Henry George. George spoke widely about increasing economic inequality in America’s Gilded Age. The American Gilded Age, 1870-1900, marked a dramatic increase in the country’s wealth and industrial output. However, George highlighted the pitfalls of this new industrial revival: an increase in poverty around the country.

O’Donnell’s new academic book was recently highlighted in the New York Times as “timely and accessible,” helping to analyze how George “gained a national forum for his ‘single tax’ on property, which was fundamental to his platform.” O’Donnell recognizes that George’s increased fame led to a broader social movement by working class Americans to combat poverty and gain workplace rights.

“Given that many people now say we live in a Second Gilded Age, a term that reflects concern over increasing wealth inequality, poverty, and corporate influence in politics, Henry George is more relevant than ever.” O’Donnell explains of his biographical subject, “He makes clear in terms we can readily understand today why these problems pose a direct threat to our democracy. And the movement he led reminds us that we citizens possess the power to remedy these social and economic problems.”

Sven Beckert, Laird Bell Professor of History at Harvard University, praised O’Donnell’s work for its in-depth research and modern relevance. Beckert writes, “At a time when issues of social inequality have moved again to the forefront of political debate… through the past two centuries, Americans have passionately contested the severe inequalities that went along with the spectacular economic development of the nation…few voices were as powerful and had as lasting of an impact as that of Henry George. Edward O’Donnell’s political biography is a brilliant introduction to George’s life, ideas, and politics.”

O’Donnell, a member of the Holy Cross class of 1986, earned his Ph.D. in American history from Columbia University. He is the author of several books, including “Visions of America: A History of the United States” (Pearson, 2009) and also writes a blog InThePastLane.com.

O’Donnell has published op-eds in media outlets, including The New York Times, and has provided historical insight and commentary for numerous national outlets including PBS, the Discovery Channel, ABC World News Now, National Public Radio, the BBC, Bloomberg Radio, Fox TV, and VH-1. In addition, he has served as a “Morning Edition” commentator for NPR member station WNYC. In November, O’Donnell’s “Irish American Experience” class was featured on C-SPAN3’s American History TV.