Henry-Jefferson County KyArchives Biographies.....Durrett, Reuben T. January 24, 1824 - unknown
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Sandi Gorin http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00002.html#0000404 April 25, 2005, 3:13 pm

Author: The Biographical Encyclopaedia of Kentucky, J. M. Armstrong & Company, 1878

Reuben T. Durrett, Lawyer, was born January 24, 1824, in Henry County, 
Kentucky, and is the son of William Durrett and his wife, Elizabeth Rawlings, 
both natives of Virginia. His grandparents were among the early settlers of 
Kentucky and became residents of Henry County when it was yet a part of 
Jefferson. The Durrett family is of French origin, the name being spelled in 
France, Duret and Durret. Many of the family were writers and authors of 
considerable celebrity in that country.  He was sent from the schools of his 
native county to Georgetown College where he remained from 1844 to 1846. He 
then went to Brown University where his education was completed and where he 
graduated with the degree of A.B. in 1849. In 1853 his Alma Mater conferred 
upon him the degree of Master of Arts in compliment of his continued progress 
in scholarly attainments. In the fall of 1849, he entered the law department of 
the University of Louisville, delivered the valedictory address, and took the 
degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1850, and immediately entered on the practice of 
his profession, at the bar of Louisville, where he has been since, actively and
successfully engaged. In 1852, he was appointed Assistant Elector,
advocating the claims of Gen. Scott for the Presidency, and canvassed his
district; in 1853, was elected member of the City Council, holding the
position for one term, but has had but little aspiration in the direction of
political preferment, confining his time and energy mainly to his
profession, in which he has been eminently successful, acquiring a
considerable fortune, upon which he might at any time retire from active
life. He has been noted for his scholarly attainments; is a poet of
considerable ability; has delivered many fine addresses which have been
considered literary models; has been selected on many occasions to deliver
orations, many of which were published in daily journals. In 1857, he
purchased a one-half interest in the Louisville "Courier"; for two years
conducted the editorial department, distinguishing himself with the Southern
side of national politics. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he was confined
on account of his faith, for a time, at Fort Lafayette. Probably more than
any other man, he contributed to the establishment of the Public Library of
Kentucky, drawing up the charter for that institution in 1870, and securing
its passage by the Legislature in the following spring; and to his executive
ability and skill the scheme for the establishment of the Library, and the
museum connected with it, is mainly owing, he conceiving the original plan
and pushing it to its final execution. He is an able lawyer, is a scholar of
varied and extensive learning, is one of the most finished and accomplished
speakers of the Louisville bar, and is an elegant writer. Mr. Durrett was
married December 16, 1852, to Miss Elizabeth H. Bates, only daughter of
Caleb Bates, of Cincinnati, and has two living children.



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