Sketches of Prominent Tennesseans Containing Biographies and Records of Many of the Families Who Have Attained Prominence in Tennessee

I had a native ambition to rise from obscurity and make myself useful in the world to shine and be distinguished. So said the Hon. Neil S. Brown one of the 259 prominent 19th-century Tennesseans profiled in this extraordinary book. It is this kind of unique first-hand biographical information that makes this work unequaled in the canon of Tennessee genealogical literature. Not only did compiler William S. Speer have the unparalleled opportunity to interview a number of the featured Tennesseans himself he also was able to garner--and include in this book--thousands and thousands of names of their family members friends and colleagues. The biographical sketches include numerous details about the lives of the subjects and their families. In addition the compiler offers insight into the personal professional and sometimes even physical characteristics that made each of these men a success.