Catawba County News

Author's Visit: Rob Christensen

Published: January 22, 2020

Politics is always a subject ripe for discussion, and when it involves family dynasties, it gets even more intriguing.

At the library’s upcoming author’s visit, Rob Christensen, former reporter and political columnist at The News & Observer in Raleigh, brings to the forefront the Scott family, who were prominent in North Carolina politics for three generations: W. Kerr Scott served as NC governor and US senator in the 1950s, his son Robert Scott served as NC governor in the early 1970s, and his granddaughter Meg Scott Phipps served as the NC commissioner of agriculture in the early 2000s.

Through interviews and research in his recent book, The Rise and Fall of the Branchhead Boys: North Carolina’s Scott Family and the Era of Progressive Politics, Christensen offers a portrait of the family’s political service and legacy.

While he highlights the Scott family’s accomplishments, Christensen also illustrates their personal and political shortcomings and their fall from favor. Included in his portrayal are explorations of the ways that race and populism informed North Carolina politics during the 20th century and the impact of corruption on the family name and political offices.

To learn more about the Scott dynasty and Christensen’s work in writing the book, join us at 6:30 pm on Monday, January 27 at the Sherrills Ford-Terrell Branch Library. The program is sponsored by the Friends of the Sherrills Ford-Terrell Library.