Complex sentence: Many writers have attempted to designate George Went Hensley (1880--1955) as both the progenitor and popularizer of Appalachian religious snake handling, but his role in initiating the practice has been disputed by academic studies.
Split into simpler sentences: Many writers have attempted to designate one person, normally George Went Hensley (1880--1955), as both the progenitor and popularizer of Appalachian religious snake handling. His role in initiating the practice has been disputed by academic studies.