Memphis in Shelby County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Luke Edward Wright

1846-1922

By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 25, 2020

1. Luke Edward Wright Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

A Confederate officer who was cited for gallantry, he held the office of attorney-general for Shelby County. Wright also served as the first governor-general of the Philippines and as the first official ambassador to Japan, and under President Theodore Roosevelt, as secretary of war. He died in his house which stood here. The original circa-1840 carriage house was restored in 1975.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4E 72.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #26 Theodore Roosevelt, and the Tennessee Historical Commission series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1846.

Location. 35° 8.618′ N, 90° 2.241′ W. Marker is in Memphis, Tennessee, in Shelby County. Marker is on North Orleans Street just north of Jefferson Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 707 Adams Ave, Memphis TN 38105, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Woodruff - Fontaine House (about 600 feet away, measured

By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 25, 2020

2. Luke Edward Wright Marker

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in a direct line); Mallory-Neely House (about 600 feet away); Lowenstein Mansion (about 600 feet away); Collins Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church (about 700 feet away); Christian Brothers College (approx. 0.2 miles away); St. Mary's Cathedral Chapel and Diocesan House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Memphis City Hospital (approx. ¼ mile away); Elvis Presley and Sun Records / Sun Records (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Memphis.

Also see . . .
1. Luke Edward Wright. Library of Congress excerpt from "Secretaries of War and Secretaries of the Army: Portraits and Biographical Sketches" by William Gardner Bell, U.S. Army Center for Military History. (Submitted on April 27, 2020, by Duane Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. This Sold House. Memphis Magazine feature about the property and its history. From March 9, 2011 issue. (Submitted on April 27, 2020, by Duane Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Luke Edward Wright image. Click for full size.

By Gerard Barry, oil on canvas, 1909

3. Luke Edward Wright

Courtesy U.S. Army Center of Military History.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 28, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 27, 2020, by Duane Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 96 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 27, 2020, by Duane Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.