Old Louisville in Jefferson County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
George Denison Prentice
Photographed By Michael Herrick, May 19, 2017
1. George Denison Prentice Marker
George Denison Prentice (1802-1870) was a controversial figure in Louisville history. Born in Connecticut, educated at Brown University, Prentice taught school, and studied both law and medicine before embarking on a career in journalism. Henry Clay invited Prentice to Kentucky to promote Clay's bid for the U.S. Presidency. In 1830 Prentice launched the Louisville Journal as a partisan Whig paper, and attacked his political enemies with a sharp pen published in a widely distributed booklet called "Prenticeana."
An avowed "Know-Nothing," Prentice's anti-Catholic/anti-immigrant rhetoric is said to have contributed to the "Bloody Monday" riots on Election Day, August 6, 1855. That event (See: historical marker at the Cathedral of the Assumption) overshadowed Prentice's personal appeal to calm the rioters. Journalists and editors agree that Prentice's stylistic contributions to their craft have endured, despite his tarnished legacy.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music. A significant historical year for this entry is 1830.
Location. Marker has been reported permanently removed. It was located near 38° 14.653′ N, 85° 45.473′ W. Marker was in Louisville, Kentucky, in Jefferson County. It was in Old Louisville.
this page online
We have been informed that this sign or monument is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Murray Atkins Walls (a few steps from this marker); First Unitarian Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. J.B. Marvin House (within shouting distance of this marker); Calvary Episcopal Church (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Derek Smith Gymnasium at Spalding University (about 500 feet away); Columbia Gym (about 500 feet away); Weissinger-Gaulbert Apartments (about 600 feet away); Sit-in Demonstration Site (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Louisville.
Also see . . .
1. George D. Prentice on Wikipedia. (Submitted on June 25, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
2. Controversial Prentice statue removed from Louisville library property. (Submitted on August 5, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia.)
Photographed By Michael Herrick, May 19, 2017
2. George Denison Prentice Marker
Photographed By Michael Herrick, May 19, 2017
3. George Denison Prentice
The statue of Prentice is placed, perhaps appropriately, between two trash receptacles.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 25, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 286 times since then and 14 times this year. Last updated on August 5, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 25, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
