Author of new Russell Long book to be in Jeanerette

The Jeanerette Museum has announced that it is pleased to be hosting University of Louisiana at Lafayette Professor Michael Martin as he introduces his new book, “Russell Long: A Life in Politics.

Russell Long, who died in 2003, was the son of Louisiana Gov. Huey Long and the nephew of Gov. Earl K. Long, two flamboyant political figures.

His father’s assassination in 1935 set the wheels in motion for his eventual political career. In 1948, Russell Long followed his father and his mother to a seat in the United States Senate. In due course, he rose to the politically eminent positions of majority whip and chair of the Senate Finance Committee.

The book, published by the University Press of Mississippi, examines Long’s public life and places it within the context of 20th-century Louisiana, southern and national politics.

Martin, who is the director of the Center for Louisiana Studies at UL Lafayette, will be on hand to discuss the Long family and how they affected politics on Wednesday, Aug. 20, with the program beginning at 6 p.m. 

The event is free of charge and Dr. Martin will be available to autograph copies of his book following the discussion. 

Martin is the Cheryl Courrégé Burguières/Board of Regents Professor of History  at UL Lafayette. He is also managing editor for the academic journal, Louisiana History.

For more information email jeanerettemuseum@yahoo.com, visit the museum on Facebook or call the museum at 337-276-4408 Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The museum is located at 500 E. Main St. in Jeanerette.