Born in mid-nineteenth-century New York, Eugene T. Kingsley worked as a railway brakeman in Montana until an accident left him a double amputee. His subsequent socialist activism brought him to Canada where he eventually became known to the government as “one of the most dangerous men in Canada”. Dr. Malhotra and Dr. Isitt offer a portrait of a figure who wielded considerable influence in an era when it was uncommon for disabled men to lead. They examine Kingsley’s endeavours for justice against the Northern Pacific Railway, and how Kingsley’s life intersected with immigration law and free-speech rights.
Able to Lead provides a compelling historical account that will find an audience among labour and leftist historians, advocates for disability rights, and general readers interested in disability and activist history.
Click here to read more about the new book.
A launch event for the book will take place on Tuesday, June 15, 2021, with Dr. Malhotra joining from Ottawa and Dr. Isitt joining from Victoria. Dr. Regina Bateson, visiting professor at uOttawa’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA) and the Faculty of Law, will moderate the discussion, and commentary will be provided by Professor Bryan Palmer, Canada Research Chair Emeritus at Trent University, and Professor Geoffrey Reaume of York University.
WHAT: Launch of Able to Lead: Disability, Radicalism, and the Political Life of E.T. Kingsley
WHEN: Tuesday, June 15, 2021, 7:00 p.m. EDT (Ottawa); 4:00 p.m. PDT (Victoria)
ACCESS: Registration is required via Eventbrite. Zoom login details will be provided to registrants.
Congratulations to Dr. Malhotra and Dr. Isitt on the publication of this fascinating historical account!