Folks in Tennessee disagree about many things. Are you a Vandy fan, or do you root for the Volunteers? Do you vote for Democrats or Republicans? Appalachian Bluegrass or Memphis Blues?

But they agree on one thing: Parson Brownlow is the most hated man in Volunteer State history. Nearly 150 years after his death, just mentioning his name can trigger a reaction.

Brownlow passionately hated (in no particular order) Baptists, the Devil, Democrats, Confederates, Andrew Johnson, and anyone who disagreed with him. And he fought them all with every ounce of energy he possessed.

How did this 19th-century Methodist minister, newspaper editor, politician, and all-around rabble rouser come to be a divisive figure in the 21st Century, you ask?

William Gannaway Brownlow was born in Virginia in 1805.

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