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The Leopard's Spots: A Romance of the White Man's Burden, Volume I of the "Reconstruction Trilogy," is the first part of a three part historical novel meant to portray life in the immediate period following the end of the US Civil War in the South.
Written by a Southern sympathizer, political activist and Baptist preacher, the Reconstruction trilogy tells the story of Charles Gaston, the son of a famous Confederate colonel, who leads his men from the state of North Carolina in a rebellion against the Reconstruction policy which was implemented in the South after the war.
Other characters featured include Simon Legree, an ex-slave driver turned Reconstruction leader, emancipated slaves, former soldiers from both sides, and unscrupulous politicians, all set against a love story based around the main character.
The personalities in the book are fictional, but are all based on real people, giving the work a uniquely realistic air, which made it a best seller in its time. The entire first edition was sold before it was printed, and the book sold over 100,000 copies in its first 6 months.
The other two volumes in this trilogy, "The Clansman" and "The Traitor," were as successful as "The Leopard's Spots," with "The Clansman" becoming the basis for the famous 1915 epic silent movie "Birth of a Nation."
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Thomas Frederick Dixon Jr. (1864-1946) was born in Shelby, North Carolina, and was noted for his academic prowess, earning a master's degree and a law degree by 1885. While still a 20-year old student, he ran for a seat in the North Carolina General Assembly as a Democrat, and won handsomely, despite being too young to vote himself. He resigned from politics after only one session, citing his disgust with the level of corruption he encountered. After that, he practiced as a lawyer and then as a Baptist preacher, before turning his hand to writing. His output included 22 novels, a large number of plays and various essays. He is buried in his home town.
