J. Stitt Wilson: Socialist, Christian, Mayor of Berkeley

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Jackson Stitt Wilson (1868-1942) was a notable figure in American socialism, and Barton's biography captures his impactful career and the vibrant socialist movement from the Gilded Age to the New Deal. Initially ordained as a Methodist minister in Chicago during the 1893-1897 depression, Wilson helped establish a Christian socialist movement that attracted numerous ministers. He was a dynamic public speaker, engaging large audiences in the U.S., Canada, and Britain, where he collaborated with the Labour Party. After relocating to Berkeley, California, he served as mayor but chose not to seek re-election following a family tragedy. A staunch advocate for women's rights, his daughters became socialists and silent film stars. During World War I, he narrowly lost a mayoral race amid false accusations from a local organization backed by the U.S. Army. The 1930s Great Depression renewed interest in his Christian socialism, leading him to support Upton Sinclair’s EPIC campaign for governor in 1934. In his later years, he warned against fascism and endorsed the New Deal. Barton's biography revives Wilson's legacy, highlighting his contributions to social justice issues like women's suffrage and labor rights, and underscores the importance of his work for contemporary progressives.