Durrett, Reuben T. (Reuben Thomas), 1824-1913

Linn was an early settler of Louisville, Kentucky.

From the description of Extracts from the manuscripts of Col. R.T. Durrett concerning Col. William Linn : typescript copies, [ca. 1775]-[ca. 1781]. (University of Chicago Library). WorldCat record id: 52249400

Louisville, Kentucky lawyer, editor, author, and primary founder and first president of the Filson Club.

From the description of Reuben T. Durrett miscellaneous papers, 1853-1909. (Filson Historical Society, The). WorldCat record id: 49217961

Reuben T. Durrett was a Louisville attorney, antiquarian, and historian. Born in 1824, he held a variety of jobs before the Civil War, including editor of the Louisville Courier. He was one of the Confederate sympathizers arrested in 1861 when the federal government suppressed the Courier. After the war, Durrett practiced law in Louisville and was a successful attorney until his retirement in 1880. Durrett was also involved in numerous business enterprises in the city. After retiring from his legal practice, he focused his efforts on the preservation of Kentucky's history and amassed an enormous library of books, pamphlets, manuscripts, portraits, and artifacts. In May 1884, Durrett and nine other Louisvillians founded the Filson Club of which Durrett served as president from its founding until 1913. As president, Durrett continued to collect items related to Kentucky and published several volumes in the Filson Club Publications series, including a biography of John Filson. In 1912, the University of Chicago purchased most of Durrett's library, which is now the Reuben T. Durrett Collection on Kentucky and the Ohio River Valley. Durrett died on September 16, 1913.

From the description of Reuben T. Durrett added papers, 1883-1910. (Filson Historical Society, The). WorldCat record id: 67712510

American lawyer and historian.

From the description of Autograph letter signed : Louisville, Ky., to Worthington C. Ford, 1890 Aug. 15. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270742801

Reuben Thomas Durrett was born January 22, 1824, in Henry County, Kentucky. Durrett attended and graduated from Brown University and the University of Louisville. He practised law in Louisville from 1850-1880. During this time he bought a half interest in the Louisville Courier, served as city councilman, and was briefly jailed for his pro-southern leanings. Durrett helped found the Public Library of Kentucky, which was housed in Louisville, in 1870. He was also a founding member of the Filson Club, established in 1884. The club's goal was to collect, preserve, and publish historical material relating to Kentucky. His library served as the meeting place for the club from 1884-1913. Upon his death in 1913, his library was sold to the University of Chicago.

From the description of Reuben T. Durrett papers : letters, 1887-1908. (Kentucky Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 36864003

Louisville, Kentucky lawyer, editor, author, and primary founder and first president of The Filson Club.

From the description of Reuben T. Durrett papers, 1821-1931. (Filson Historical Society, The). WorldCat record id: 49217960