Author E. R. Bills knows the past is never dead. Pictured are E. R. Bills and Lavelle Carlson. (Photo by Vicki Baker)
Vicki Baker
There’s a famous quote attributed to Winston Churchill that goes, “History is written by the victors.” This belief could only be true if history was fixed, settled, and static. It never is. It keeps evolving. When new facts emerge, it gets revisited. That’s been the case with author and historian E. R. Bills, the Democratic Club’s April speaker, as he delved into some of the most fascinating and harrowing chapters of overlooked Texas history.
Born in Fort Worth and raised in Aledo, Bills’ blue-collar parents stressed the importance of an inquisitive and curious mind. He received a degree in journalism and completed master’s courses in American literature, earning numerous state and regional awards for his writings. After graduation, he was a frequent contributor to Fort Worth Weekly, paper of South Texas, Fort Worth Magazine, Fort Worth Star Telegram, Austin American-Statesman, and Texas Co-op Power magazine.
Today, the Texas native continues to investigate and research controversial topics and author books, articles, and editorials that challenge and inspire readers. Wandering the state’s back roads, he’s left no stone unturned as he’s unearthed its lost, ignored, or long-forgotten past. Some good. Some bad. Some ugly.
Recognized by Texas Monthly as part of a new generation of Lone Star scholars who are attempting to set the record straight, Bills appreciates that history is complicated and ofttimes controversial. While victors have a stronger influence over the prevailing version of events, historical accounts don’t just emanate there. On occasion, we’re able to glimpse historical views from the “other” side, the side Bills gives a voice to throughout his writings.
The stories of history are often the ones we may not know. And just like other fields of study, history constantly strives to discover the truth beyond the distortions, a truth E. R. Bills never stops searching for. Find it, share it, and let’s get the story out!