Book Description

Harry T. Burn’s great-grandnephew chronicles the life and legacy of the Tennessee legend who helped ratify the 19th Amendment. After reading a letter from his mother, Burn cast the deciding vote to ratify the Nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, granting suffrage rights to millions of American women. Born and raised in McMinn County, he served in Tennessee government in various capacities for many years, including terms in the state senate and as delegate to state constitutional conventions. His accomplishments include helping secure universal suffrage rights, drafting clean election laws and leading successful careers in law and banking. He encountered more controversies in his career, such as an unsuccessful gubernatorial bid, election fraud and implementation of state legislative reapportionment. “In this deeply researched biography, Tyler L. Boyd finally brings us the full man, putting into context Burn’s singular act of conscience, helping us to understand how one person can make a difference.” —Elaine Weiss, author of The Woman’s Hour: The Great Fight to Win the Vote “The story of what happened before and after Burn’s fateful vote has been told often but often told wrong. [This book] gives us the real story, one well worth remembering as we commemorate the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment in August 1920, courtesy of the Volunteer State.” —Marjorie J. Spruill, author of Divided We Stand and One Woman, One Vote