Anti-Catholicism history book awarded

Published March 17, 2017

“Anti-Catholicism in Arkansas: How Politicians, the Press, the Klan, and Religious Leaders Imagined an Enemy, 1910–1960” by Kenneth Barnes received the 2017 J.G. Ragsdale Award in Arkansas History.

Barnes, a professor of history at the University of Central Arkansas, said, “Since the book’s publication we have all become more aware that prejudice and intolerance are still alive and well. Many of the things said about Roman Catholics a hundred years ago are still being said today about Muslims and immigrants.”

David Sesser, chairman of the Ragsdale award committee, praised Barnes’ examination of an overlooked minority in Arkansas’ history.

“The detailed research coupled with the engaging narrative will be useful to both serious researchers and readers simply interested in Arkansas history,” Sesser said.

The Arkansas Historical Association has presented the Ragsdale award annually since 2002 to the best book-length historical study of an aspect of Arkansas history.