DU Star Giveaway - Question #4

[RoyGBiv]

Thomas Dixon, who birthed a nation with his version of the Klan, wrote the Leopard’s Spots, and I replied, though my hand was hindered. I envisioned an empire within an empire, though some say it was Orion’s fantasy in Latin. My imagined people were at Waco, but they were not that whacko as could be seen in Boley and Langston and Nicodemus. I admired Niagra and the movement of its people as they advanced, just like my friend, the Frenchman who wasn’t. Who am I?

Rules Here

OnEdit: I ran this by my friend who is doing a dissertation on a subject surrounding this individual, and it occurred to me that basically no one knows this person.

So, I'll do two things. First, a clue: A rather famous historian wrote an introduction to a novel by this individual that was republished recently. The name of that novel is in the riddle somewhere, but not as it would appear in a bibliography. Second, the person who answers this gets a star and may also designate another person to receive a star as well. If someone who already has a star answers it, they can give out two stars.

[Lil Missy]

1. Sutton Elbert Griggs

[RoyGBiv]

2. Okay ...

How did you get that?

I was sitting here feeling all guilty for this one 'cause I spent 6 months doing nothing but research on Griggs, so he's stuck in my brain no matter what I do, and I don't know anyone other than my friend who has ever heard of him.

I'm well impressed. PM me with your desire for who gets the stars.

[Lil Missy]

4. It was your hint. I'd have never guessed it with your original clue.

:)

I'll PM you; I don't want to spoil your other clues.

I'll have to do some research and get back to you with some names on the stars.

[RoyGBiv]

3. Sutton Griggs ... brief bio ...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutton_E._Griggs

Fascinating individual ...