Ruth Painter Randall papers, 1961

Descriptive Summary

Title
Ruth Painter Randall papers, 1961
Creator
Randall, Ruth Painter.
Extent
1.2 cubic feet
Subjects
Randall, Ruth Painter.
Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865.
Lincoln, Mary Todd, 1818-1882.
Ellsworth, Elmer.
Authors.
Manuscripts (for publication).
Typescripts
Arrangement
Arranged by accession number.
Finding Aid Author
Processed by: Archives Staff ; machine-readable finding aid created by:Eric Weig
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
Author. Born in 1891 in Salem, Virginia, Ruth Painter graduated from Roanoke College (Va.) in 1913 and received her M.A. in English from Indiana University in 1914. In 1917 Randall married J. G. Randall, well known historian, became deeply interested in her husband's Lincoln studies and worked closely with him researching Lincoln's life and times. So interested was she in the Lincoln history and memorabilia that she too became a Lincoln scholar and biographer.
Scope and Content
This collection is comprised of original typescript or manuscript copies of some of Ruth Painter Randall's popular historical writings concerning Abraham Lincoln and his family. Included are "MR. LINCOLN'S SONS" (61M165), "THE COURTSHIP OF MR. LINCOLN" (61M164), "COLONEL ELMER ELLSWORTH" (61M163), and the biography of Mary Todd Lincoln written for juveniles, "I, MARY"(61M143). A handwritten letter by Randall and a carbon copy of an autobiographical sketch are also present.

Special Collections Research Center - Closed

The Breckinridge Research Room will be closed starting May 11, 2026, and anticipates re-opening Fall semester 2026 in an alternate location for the duration of the King Library renovation.

Reproduction requests will still be available during the closure.

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You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.

If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.

Special Collections Research Center - Closed

The Breckinridge Research Room will be closed starting May 11, 2026, and anticipates re-opening Fall semester 2026 in an alternate location for the duration of the King Library renovation.

Reproduction requests will still be available during the closure.

Contact SCRC with questions.

Requests

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You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.

If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.