In his book Molloy explores the life of Joseph Banigan (1839-1898), one of America’s most successful 19th Century industrialists, who became New England’s first Catholic millionaire. Banigan was an Irish Potato Famine refugee from County Monaghan, in Ulster, who established himself in Rhode Island and became a titan of the rubber industry; Banigan become president of the U.S. Rubber Company in 1893. Banigan accomplished this during a period of widespread anti-Irish-Catholic prejudice, also explored in Molloy’s book.

SCOTT MOLLOY is an award-winning Professor at the Schmidt Labor Research Center, University of Rhode Island. He previously drove a bus, was a union activist, and was Chief of Staff to a United States Congresswoman. A prolific writer, Molloy also wrote, Trolley Wars: Streetcar Workers on the Line (University of New Hampshire, 2007). This is Dr. Molloy’s second speaking engagement with the Museum.