The University Libraries, University of Memphis with the Support of the Friends of the University Libraries Proudly Presents

Before There Was Memphis

Print Version (Adobe PDF file)

Mr. Jimmy Ogle

Ned R. McWherter Library, Room 225
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

It seems that the history most people know about Memphis generally begins with Hernando De Soto’s discovery of the Mississippi River in 1541 and then “fast-forwards” to the founding of the city in 1819. By contrast, Mr. Ogle’s presentation will focus on the period 1782 – 1827, that is, “before there was Memphis.” Mr. Ogle has researched the people, events and circumstances of an area on the southwest frontier of our nation in the late 18th century that would become Memphis, Tennessee. He will discuss the machinations related to the formation and acceptance of Tennessee as the sixteenth state in the Union, and then discuss the strategies of the three "absentee" founders of Memphis from Middle Tennessee: Overton, Jackson and Winchester. Please plan to attend this enlightening and informative presentation.