Reuben Thomas Durrett (January 22, 1824 – September 16, 1913) was a lawyer, jurist, linguist, poet, editor, journalist, history writer, and Kentucky bibliographer.

During his law career he served one term on the Louisville City Council and in 1852 campaigned for Winfield Scott for president.

On July 21, 1857, Durrett was in a pistol duel with George D. Prentice over statements made between their two rival newspapers.

During the time he was a lawyer he obtained a half interest in Louisville Courier newspaper and was its editor until 1859.

These excursions consisted of trips throughout the Kentucky countryside using old authentic maps, some made by John Filson.

It is believed that the notion for a local historical society was sparked when the 27th Governor of Ohio Charles Anderson accompanied him and his friends on one of these excursions.

On May 15, 1884, it was established that every first Monday of each month his friends would get together at Durrett's home library (Brook and Chestnut Streets).

Its main purpose was the preserving of Kentucky history by collecting rare unpublished material.

[4][5] Many historians, including Theodore Roosevelt (Winning of the West), used The Filson Club and Durrett's library.

[1][7] The American family line in the United States of all Durretts can trace their genealogy back to three brothers (John, Richard, and Bartholomew Durrett), descendants of Louis Duret that immigrated from England to Spotsylvania County, Virginia, in the eighteenth century.

His father, a wealthy farmer, built the first brick house in Henry County about 1813 some 2 miles north of New Castle and is where Durrett was born and raised.

[4][6] The collection is organized and divided into a dozen groups from "Pictures, Maps, and Sketches" to historical manuscripts and personal papers.