© 2025 Ideastream Public Media

1375 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115
(216) 916-6100 | (877) 399-3307

WKSU is a public media service licensed to Kent State University and operated by Ideastream Public Media.
Donate
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

He was hailed as a champion of the poor and reviled as a dictator. Louisiana's Huey Long rose to Governor and U.S. Senator on a platform of social reform and justice, all the while employing graft and corruption to get what he wanted. Ken Burns reveals a complex and comprehensive portrait of the man, his politics and the power he so obsessively sought.

Watch • 3:04
Huey Long
An Introduction to Huey Long
Long was a powerful politician who served as governor of Louisiana from 1928 to 1932.
Clip: S1 E1 | 3:04
Watch • 2:20
Huey Long
Childhood Aspirations
Huey Long showed ambition from a young age.
Clip: S1 E1 | 2:20
Watch • 4:35
Huey Long
Long's Political Power
Huey Long served as governor and senator simultaneously, wielding a great amount of power.
Clip: S1 E1 | 4:35
Funding Provided by:General Motors Corporation; the Corporation for Public Broadcasting;PBS; the National Endowment for the Humanities; and Louisiana Committee for the Humanities
Episodes
Watch • 1:28:35
Huey Long
Huey Long
Louisiana's Huey Long rose to Governor and Senator on a platform of social reform.
Episode: S1 E1 | 1:28:35
Extras
Watch • 0:33
Huey Long
Senator Russel Long
Senator Russel Long talks about his father's populism.
Clip: S1 E1 | 0:33
Watch • 0:18
Huey Long
Long's Passion for Power
Arthur Schelsinger Jr. discusses Long's passion for power.
Clip: S1 E1 | 0:18