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The past is a foreign county; they do things differently there.
—L.P. Hartley

R. Scott Williams

Scott Williams is dedicated to uncovering the forgotten stories of those who helped shape American history and popular culture. He is the author of biographies on adventurer Richard Halliburton, pioneering entertainment reporter Odd McIntyre, and American folk hero David Crockett. His newest biography is a deep dive into the life of Memphis founder Marcus Winchester.

Scott’s Bio

My Genealogy & History Blog

Following the Footsteps of the Lovelace Family

August 19, 2026 Scott Williams 0

I love photos of my ancestors. However, the farther back I trace each line, the less likely I am to …

Lewis Grave Yard with Some Mention of Early Settlers Along Fifth Creek, Iredell Co., N.C.

August 14, 2026 Scott Williams 0

My interest in Lewis Graveyard is personal. Several of my direct ancestors are buried there, including my fourth great-grandparents Thomas …

Will of Thomas Lovelace, 1772-1829

August 14, 2026 Scott Williams 0

Thank goodness for wills. Of course, a diary with frequent entries about a person’s day-to-day life would be an easier …

Holly Grove Baptist Church: A Castellaw Legacy

August 6, 2026 Scott Williams 0

The 2026 reunion of the descendants of John Dawson Castellaw (1780–1859) and Zilpha Spruill Castellaw (1778–1842) is set for Saturday, …

What I Discovered About my Family Tree from my DNA

July 22, 2026 Scott Williams 0

Photo: Receiving my DNA way back in 2016 / DNA: a decade later In July 2016, I wrote a blog …

George Williams of Bertie County and the Battle of Stono Ferry

June 27, 2026 Scott Williams 0

Photo: A British map of Stono Ferry referencing the 1779 battle. Source: South Carolina Battleground Preservation Trust / As I …

All blog posts, 1998 – present

Reelfoot Forward: A West Tennessee Podcast Hosted by Scott Williams

Episode 237: David Wright: Brushstrokes of a Young Nation – Reelfoot Forward

As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, artists across the country are helping us see the nation's story through fresh eyes. Few do it with the authenticity and attention to detail of David Wright. In this episode, Wright, one of America's premier historical artists, along with Discovery Park of America's senior director of exhibits and collections take listeners on a guided tour of Discovery Park's newest Southern Artist Showcase, "Brushstrokes of a Young Nation: The Art of David Wright." The exhibition features Wright's remarkable paintings of the American frontier, bringing to life the explorers, settlers, Native Americans and pivotal moments that shaped a young nation. David shares the stories behind many of his favorite works, explains why historical accuracy is at the heart of everything he paints, and reveals how years of research, living history and firsthand experiences help him recreate the past with extraordinary authenticity. He also discusses the highlights of his decades-long career, the evolution of his artistic style, and why preserving history through art matters as much today as ever. Whether you're a museum lover, an art enthusiast, a history buff or simply someone who enjoys hearing from people who have dedicated their lives to mastering their craft, this episode offers a fascinating look inside the mind of an artist who doesn't just paint history—he helps us experience it. This project is funded in part by a Tennessee America 250 grant from the Tennessee Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial. Through this statewide initiative, Tennessee communities are working together to honor the state’s role in shaping the nation’s history and future. "Brushstrokes of a Young Nation: The Art of David Wright” will be on display at Discovery Park through Feb. 1, 2027.

Out Now: “Townmania: Marcus Winchester and the Making of Memphis”

Purchase Now on Amazon

Meticulously researched and filled with new information and insight, “Townmania: Marcus Winchester and the Making of Memphis” brings to life a fascinating cast of early Memphians including flatboat pilots, fur traders, Native Americans, the enslaved, enslavers, abolitionists and politicians. It reframes the birth of a Southern metropolis through the lens of Marcus Winchester, the man who helped shape it, only to be cast out by some in the very community he helped create.

Twenty questions with author Scott Williams about Marcus Winchester and “Townmania”

In a city shaped by legends, it’s easy to overlook the man who helped build the stage for them all. In “Townmania: Marcus Winchester and the Making of Memphis,” author Scott Williams masterfully resurrects one of the city’s most overlooked figures and offers readers a sweeping portrait of Memphis’s earliest days. What emerges is more than a biography. It’s a cultural portrait that blends politics, race and ambition into a compelling, timely narrative.

Q ‘n’ A

In 1909, former Memphis mayor James H. Malone led a project to procure portraits of all the city’s former mayors to hang in the newly built City Hall. Because there was no existing portrait of Marcus Winchester, one was painted by S.D. Rogers of Walter Gray’s Studio in Memphis. Today, the portrait is on display with others in the Hall of Mayors in the lobby of Memphis City Hall at 125 Main Street.

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@scottatdiscoverypark