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Dear Alben
Mr. Barkley of Kentucky
JAMES K. LIBBEY
Photographs courtesy of Special Collections, University of Kentucky, and used with the permission of Mr. David M. Barkley.
Research for The Kentucky Bicentennial Bookshelf is assisted by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Views expressed in the Bookshelf do not necessarily represent those of the Endowment.
Copyright 1979 by The University Press of Kentucky
Paperback edition 2009
The University Press of Kentucky
Scholarly publisher for the Commonwealth,
serving Bellarmine University, Berea College, Centre
College of Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky University,
The Filson Historical Society, Georgetown College,
Kentucky Historical Society, Kentucky State University,
Morehead State University, Murray State University,
Northern Kentucky University, Transylvania University,
University of Kentucky, University of Louisville,
and Western Kentucky University.
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ISBN 978-0-8131-9289-5 (pbk: acid-free paper)
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Contents
Illustrations follow
To Joyces in-laws:
Russell and Narcissa
Acknowledgments
QUITE POSSIBLY A hundred or more individuals contribute directly or indirectly to the completion of this project. Alben W. Barkleys long and eventful life required commensurate amounts of time and work in order to telescope the broad sweep of his career into a biographical essay of such a relatively short length. While I must assume final responsibility for the manuscript, my efforts alone might not have reduced such a huge task to manageable proportions without the able assistance of grammarians, historians, and student workers who corrected, checked, or somehow helped me prepare the material presented in the following pages. If I were a wealthy man, more than my thanks would be extended to David Allen, Department of English, George Rogers Clark High School; Charlene Arnold, student, Eastern Kentucky University; Dorothy Bayer, Richmond, Kentucky; Terry Birdwhistell, Special Collections, University of Kentucky; Dr. Harry Brown, Department of English, Eastern Kentucky University; Becky Courtney, student, Eastern Kentucky University; Terry Culross, Department of Learning Skills, Eastern Kentucky University; Ronald Harrod, student, Eastern Kentucky University; Dr. Holman Hamilton, Professor Emeritus of History, University of Kentucky; Charles Hay, Archives, Eastern Kentucky University; Dr. Keith Heim, Special Collections, Murray State University; Dr. Robert Ireland, Department of History, University of Kentucky; Dr. Quentin Keen, Department of History, Eastern Kentucky University; Jacqueline Maki, Department of Learning Skills, Eastern Kentucky University; William Marshall, Special Collections, University of Kentucky; Dr. George Robinson, Department of History, Eastern Kentucky University; Dr. Charles Roland, Department of History, University of Kentucky; Dr. Charles Talbert, Professor Emeritus of History, University of Kentucky; James Tatum, student, Eastern Kentucky University; Terry Warth, Special Collections, University of Kentucky. Two individuals deserve a special word of thanks. My wife, Joyce, and Dr. James Klotter, Kentucky Historical Society, read the entire manuscript and gave me the type of encouragement and support that can only be compensated with my eternal gratitude. Finally, I must mention my peripatetic colleague, Professor Ann Algier, whose Renaissance mind gives her the special grace it takes to inspire confidence and create worth in every imaginable intellectual endeavor, including this biography.
It would be fruitless and possibly embarrassing in my neglect to credit the numerous Barkley buffs, friends, or relatives who shared with me their impressions. None, though, were more helpful or important than the comments I received through interview or correspondence with Albens children: David Barkley, Laura MacArthur, Marian Truitt. Mr. Barkley generously allowed me to rummage about the Angles estate in order to acquire the flavor of his fathers last home. In addition, and despite his illness, David Barkley continued to express his warm interest and give me his kind aid by holding himself available to answer questions as they arose during the course of my study.
