vi Preface. 



The Filson Club, an organization devoted primarily 

 to the collection and preservation of original matter 

 connected with the history of the State of Kentucky, 

 has, since it recognizes Rafinesque as the first resident 

 professor -naturalist within the limits of the State, been 

 particularly interested in this memoir, and its aid has 

 been freely extended in the matter of sumptuous publica 

 tion. The intelligent interest and historical enthusiasm 

 of Colonel R. T. Durrett, LL. D., the President of the 

 Club, was early enlisted in the project, partly for the 

 reasons above given and partly because of personal 

 interest in the career of a most remarkable man. He 

 freely offered access to his superb and unrivaled library 

 of Kentuckiana, without which courtesy much, which 

 now appears, must long have remained unknown. 



During the progress of this work numerous courtesies 

 have been extended, and by various persons. To these 

 especial thanks are due. Professor Howard M. Ballou, 

 of the Louisville Manual Training High School, spent 

 many days in the various libraries of Boston and Cam 

 bridge in abstracting and verifying certain bibliographic 

 matter; to his interest and zeal this portion of the 

 brochure owes very much indeed; he has also rendered 

 invaluable aid in proof-reading as the several signatures 

 came from the press. Doctor G. Brown Goode, Assistant 



