David L. Caffey is the author of Chasing the Santa Fe Ring: Power and Privilege in Territorial New Mexico, a groundbreaking study of the noted political and business combination that
dominated New Mexico during much of the last half of the nineteenth
century. Published by the University of New Mexico Press, the book is a
recipient of the 2014 Southwest Book Award presented by the Border
Regional Library Association.A native of West Texas, Caffey has spent the last thirty-three years in New Mexico as a college and university administrator and a writer and researcher specializing in regional history and culture. He is the author of five books, including Land of Enchantment, Land of Conflict: New Mexico in English Language Fiction and Frank Springer and New Mexico: From the Colfax County War to the Emergence of Modern Santa Fe, both from Texas A&M University Press.
Caffey was introduced to the history and outdoors of New Mexico as a Scout and later a
twelve year staff member at Philmont Scout Ranch, including four summers as Philmont’s Chief Ranger. He later served as Director of the University of New Mexico’s Harwood Library and Museum in Taos, and as an administrator at San Juan College in Farmington, and at Clovis Community College. He is currently chair of the New Mexico State Library Commission and a member of the board of the Historical Society of New Mexico. Caffey lives with his wife, Mary, in Clovis.
Caffey’s presentation at the Capitan Public Library will focus on the varied political and
business activities of men commonly associated with the Santa Fe Ring, including involvement
of alleged Ring members in the Lincoln County War.
