'Friends of the Library' Spring Lecture looks at Utah's 'Radical' Past
John S. McCormick
Each year the Friends of Merrill-Cazier Library at Utah State University presents two lectures annually, one in the fall and one in the spring. The 2016 spring lecture takes a candid look at Utah’s history and a subject that might come as a surprise to modern audiences.
“A History of Utah Radicalism — Startling, Socialistic, and Decidedly Revolutionary” is the title of the lecture taken from the book of the same title by John S. McCormick and John R. Sillito. The authors are the featured speaker at the lecture Thursday, March 17, 7 p.m., at Merrill-Cazier Library, Room 101, on USU’s Logan campus.
The lecture is free and open to all.
McCormick and Sillito’s book is published by Utah State University Press and received the 2012 Best Utah History Book Award. The book jacket and the USU Press website provide a description of the book.
“Utah, now one of the most conservative states, has a long tradition of left-wing radicalism. Early Mormon settlers set a precedent with the United Order and other experiments with a socialistic economy. … Throughout, Utah radicalism usually reflected national and international developments. Recounting its long history, McCormick and Sillito focus especially on the Socialist Party of America, which reached a peak of political influence in the first two decades of the twentieth century — in Utah and across the nation.”
McCormick earned a doctorate in intellectual history from the University of Iowa. He is dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Salt Lake Community College. He has published books and articles in a number of areas, including political history, urban history, historic preservation and the built environment. His books on Utah history include The Gathering Place: An Illustrated History of Salt Lake City.
Sillito is emeritus professor of libraries at Weber State University. A native of Salt Lake City, he has degrees in history and political science from the University of Utah. He is the editor of History’s Apprentice: The Diaries of B.H. Robert, 1880-98 and, with McCormic, A World We Thought We Knew: Readings in Utah History. His writing have appeared in a number of journals, including the Utah Historical Quarterly, Sunstone and Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought.
The Friends of Merrill-Cazier Library is a community-based support group that promotes awareness of the library’s resources, facilities and personnel. Its mission is to enrich library resources and sponsor outreach activities throughout the year via its fall and spring lectures. It often supports exhibits that are shown at the library.
Those interested in supporting University Libraries at Utah State University by joining Friends of Merrill-Cazier Library may contact Trina Shelton, (435) 797-2631. Members receive a card that allows circulation privileges for one year at Merrill-Cazier Library.
Related links:
Friends of Merrill-Cazier Library
Contact: Brad Cole, (435) 797-8268, brad.cole@usu.edu
Writer: Patrick Williams, 435-797-1354, patrick.williams@usu.edu
John R. Sillito
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