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The Land, the Law, and the Lord

By Dorothy Blodgett, Terrell Blodgett, and David L. Scott

Texans loved him or hated him, but in the first half of the twentieth century, everyone knew his name: Pat Neff. Now in this lively and comprehensive biography, we meet him again, but never for a drink. A faithful Prohibitionist, his political life was marked by his fight against Demon Rum, but more importantly, by his visionary dreams for Texas.

Born in a farmhouse, educated in a rural school, embarrassed by the misdeeds of two older brothers, Neff built a life of legend in two areas: politics and university administration. He served two terms as Governor of Texas and 15 years as president of Baylor, the largest Baptist university in the world. Throughout his life, he gained strength from the land, purpose from the law, and guidance from his God.

This man with a silver tongue and enormous persuasive powers built the foundation for today’s Texas. As governor, he launched the state highway system, founded the state parks program, and dramatically improved the quality of state government by making outstanding appointments, including many women for the first time. Fighting the Klan, defending Prohibition, struggling with an unworkable prison system, seeking to move Texas from a cotton economy to a fledgling industrial base, Governor Neff took on these challenges with soaring words and heroic energy.

Then came the Great Depression and an even greater task: keeping Baylor University alive and flourishing during a time when money was virtually non-existent.

By sheer strength of will and leadership ability, Neff saved that great institution from being swept away by the nation’s economic disaster of the 1930s. His harsh disciplinary methods were criticized by many, but the results were undeniably effective. Almost single-handedly, he raised the university’s endowment, assembled a nationally renowned faculty, and kept Baylor true to its Baptist traditions.

The book is the result of years of prodigious research including hundreds of hours of interviews and study of the Neff papers at Baylor as well as official records in Austin and Washington. The product is an anecdote-filled story that will be a treat for historians, political buffs, and anyone else interested in this fascinating period in Texas history.

State Capital photo used by permission of the State Preservation Board.
Pat Neff Hall photo courtesy Baylor University.