John J. Crittenden papers, 1786-1932

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Summary

Creator:
Crittenden, John J. (John Jordan)
Abstract:
This collection contains family and political correspondence, scrapbooks, a letter book, and speeches related to John J. Crittenden's service as a Kentucky legislator and governor, as a member of both houses of Congress, and as a Cabinet officer. The papers contain information on the political life and public issues in Kentucky and the nation during the antebellum period, with significant material concerning Crittenden's efforts to avert the Civil War by means of a compromise plan in 1861. Other papers pertain to the private life of the family, and to the publication of "The Life of John J. Crittenden," by his daughter, Mary Ann Butler Crittenden Coleman (1871). The collection also includes unpublished papers from Thomas Hart Benton, James Buchanan, William Butler, Henry Clay, Millard Fillmore, Andrew Jackson, James Madison, John Marshall, James Monroe, Franklin Pierce, Winfield Scott, William H. Seward, Alexander H. Stephens, Benjamin Taylor, Zachary Taylor, John Tyler, and Daniel Webster.
Extent:
3 Linear Feet (6 boxes, 1,055 items, 3 vols.)
Language:
Materials in English
Collection ID:
RL.10109

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains family and political correspondence, scrap books, a letter book, and speeches relating to John J. Crittenden's service as Kentucky legislator and Governor, as member of both houses of Congress, and as a Cabinet officer. The papers contain information on the political life and public issues in Kentucky during the antebellum period, with significant material concerning Crittenden's efforts to avert the Civil War by means of a compromise plan in 1861.

In addition to the political related materials are papers pertaining to the private life of the family and the publication of "The Life of John. J. Crittenden," by his daughter, Mary Ann Butler Crittenden Coleman (1871). Also included are unpublished letters from Thomas Hart Benton, James Buchanan, William Butler, Henry Clay, Millard Fillmore, Andrew Jackson, James Madison, John Marshall, James Monroe, Franklin Pierce, Winfield Scott, William H. Seward, Alexander H. Stephens, Benjamin Taylor, Zachary Taylor, John Tyler, and Daniel Webster.

Biographical / historical:

John J. Crittenden (1787-1863) was a Kentucky lawyer and statesman from Frankfort (Franklin Co). During his career he served as a Kentucky legislator, as Kentucky governor, as a member of both houses of the U.S. Congress, and as a Cabinet officer. His political career spans the antebellum and early Civil War periods and he was involved in a futile attempt to prevent the onset of the Civil War through a political settlement in 1861.

Processing information:

Processed by: Rubenstein Library Staff

Physical location:
For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Subjects

Click on terms below to find related finding aids on this site. For other related materials in the Duke University Libraries, search for these terms in the Catalog.

Subjects:
Statesmen -- United States -- Correspondence
Governors -- Kentucky
Places:
United States -- Politics and government -- 1815-1861
Kentucky -- Politics and government, 1792-1865

Contents

Using These Materials

Using These Materials Links:

Using These Materials


Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection.

All or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. The library may require up to 48 hours to retrieve these materials for research use.

Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library to use this collection.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], in the John J. Crittenden Collection, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.