Crossing Barriers: The Autobiography of Allan H. Spear

(University of Minnesota Press) Spear was both a distinguished historian and Minnesota state senator, who also became one of the first openly gay politicians in the country. He died in October 2008, leaving his memoir unfinished. One of his colleagues, John Milton ’57, completed the story of Spear’s life through an afterword, which chronicles his accomplishments as a politician and activist during his final years. Milton was elected to the Minnesota Senate in 1972 and 1976.