University of Arkansas Press Distributes New David Pryor Autobiography

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Former Arkansas Gov. and Sen. David Pryor tells his life story in his new autobiography, A Pryor Commitment (with Don Harrell, cloth $29.95), published by the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies and distributed by the University of Arkansas Press.

David Pryor’s career of public service is unparalleled in Arkansas history: he has been elected state representative, congressman, governor, and, alongside Dale Bumpers, U.S. senator (1979–1997), a seat his son Mark Pryor now holds. Through it all, Pryor’s curiosity, compassion and concern for ordinary Americans draw the reader from one colorful vignette to another.

His father sold Chevrolets, volunteered at church and held local office just to be sure the right things were done in their community. The book is filled with Pryor’s richly detailed childhood memories.

In the best tradition of American populists, Pryor followed his insight into the lives of ordinary Arkansans and Americans. He followed the voices of children in underfunded schools, of local officials who lacked funding to fulfill their responsibilities, of the elderly who needed adequate care in nursing homes. Pryor threw himself into fray after fray as advocate — often as champion — for the last, the least and the neglected of society.

David Pryor’s mother, one of the first women to seek public office in Arkansas after women achieved the right to vote, once told a family friend that her son should not enter public life because he would be too easily “disillusioned.” Perhaps she underestimated her son — and the lessons she taught him. After nearly half a century serving Arkansas and the nation, Pryor continues to serve. This fall he will be teaching an undergraduate course in American politics at the University of Arkansas.

Sen. Hillary Clinton described Pryor as “a great Arkansan and a great American.” And Governor Mike Beebe said, “David Pryor never stops giving back to the people of Arkansas. His remarkable book is another service to our people because it sheds light on important chapters of our state’s history.”

The Butler Center has also issued a colorful “Timeline Poster: History Through the Eyes of David Pryor” ($19.95) which tells Pryor’s life through photos taken throughout his life (also available from the University of Arkansas Press). The Press began to distribute the Butler Center’s publications in the spring of 2008.