J. Fred Giertz (Department of Economics, University of Illinois) has published Taxes in the Shade of the Raintree, 120 Tax Notes 489 (Aug. 4, 2008). From Prof. Giertz:
The piece recounts the impacts of high marginal tax rates in the 1940s through the experience of Ross Lockridge, the author of Raintree County. Lockridge committed suicide in 1948 at age 33 when his book was a number one bestseller. He was deeply troubled by a number of issues including his tax situation. Many people do not realize how extreme the U. S. income tax was during this period.
