Frank G. Rankin Civil War Collection

"Georgetown College is very fortunate to have the collection of Frank Rankin in its library and archives. While his wide-ranging collection contains works on Kentucky history and state fiction, its real strength lies in Rankin's Civil War materials, especially those focusing on the Confederate side. Those interested in conducting research on that conflict can find here good runs of such publications as The Land We Love, Southern Bivouac, Confederate Veteran, and the Southern Historical Society Papers. When coupled with the other works he collected until his death in 1994, all those items provide a good resource for Civil War historical research. They help us tell a story which, even yet, remains to be fully told."
                                                                                                                                                                                     James C. Klotter, President
                                                                                                                                                                                     Kentucky Civil War Round Table

Frank G. Rankin, a prominent Louisville businessman, gave the Ensor Learning Resource Center of Georgetown College, his collection of books and materials dealing with the Civil War, Southern life and culture.  The collection primarily consists of books, serial publications, pamphlets, correspondence and other ephemera dealing with the U.S. Civil War, the Confederacy, and the Southern States during the War and Reconstruction; some materials are Kentucky specific.  Materials include general histories, regimental and military histories, biographies, memoirs, diaries, pictorial works, etc. A  substantial part of the collection also includes materials dealing with the South and Southern life, the West, Kentucky civilization and literature, and other aspects of American history as well.  The collection takes up approximately 300 linear feet and access is provided to a bulk of the individual materials through the Library's online catalog.

Click here:  Materials Cataloged as of June, 2004

Click here:  Ensor LRC online catalog   Click here: Tips on searching the catalog

Use of the collection:   the materials in this collection do not circulate, you must contact the Archivist, Glen Taul by email, Archivist or by phone 502.863.8392 to set up a time to use the collection.  Walk-in use is not available.  We can supply photocopies of materials at a charge depending on the amount, copyright status, etc.  Direct ILL inquiries to the Archivist or the Interlibrary Loan Manager,  Ernie Heavin, at Interlibrary Loan Manager or by phone 502-863-8413.  Request for Interlibrary Loans can also be made using forms available on the Library's main web page.

Page revised: June 11, 2004
 

           Collection photos.

Biographical Information 

Frank G. Rankin’s avocation was historical preservation and the collection of books and articles related to the Civil War, Kentucky, and the South.

Born 13 August 1906, in Louisville, Kentucky, Rankin dedicated a significant part of his life to preserving and promoting Kentucky's regional heritage. In 1975, Gov. Julian Carroll appointed him to the Kentucky Historic Preservation Review Board.  Later he was chosen to head the Louisville Historic Landmarks and Kentucky Heritage commissions. Under his leadership, the Cherokee Triangle became a Louisville preservation district. In 1967, Rankin was chairman of the governor's commission to commemorate Kentucky's 175th statehood anniversary.

A history enthusiast, he worked to educate his fellow Louisvillians about George Rogers Clark, whom he called the George Washington of the West, and planned to create trails that outlined Clark's explorations.  In addition, Rankin was active in regional Civil War organizations. He led in the founding of the Louisville Civil War Round Table in 1961.

After graduation from duPont Manual Training High School in 1922, Rankin entered the grain business with S. Zorn & Co., becoming sales manager in 1938.  In 1942, he joined Gold Proof Grain Elevator Co., the second largest grain-marketing cooperative in the United States. He rose to the position of general manager.

Rankin was also a leader in many charitable and civic organizations. In 1958, Rankin was elected president of the Kentucky Derby Festival Committee. He was a director of Lincoln Memorial University, in Harrogate, Tennessee, and the Bank of Louisville, and was a member of First Church of Christ, Scientist, Harry R. Kendall Masonic Lodge 750, Scottish Rite, Kosair Shrine Temple and the Royal Order of Jesters.

The son of Frank Gilbert Rankin, Sr. and Blanche P. (Lion) Rankin, he married the former Mary Elizabeth Strickler of Louisville. They had two sons, Frank Gilbert III and James Tully.

Mr. Rankin died at his home, in Louisville, Kentucky, on 20 January 1994.  He was 87.

Source: Obituary from the Louisville Courier-Journal, 24 January 1994, pg. B2.

Special thanks to Mary Catherine Kendall and Megan Sauder, the two student library technical assistants, who worked diligently on the cataloging of this project.  Without their good humor, competence, and skills this project would have taken much longer to complete.  Thank you.