Robert Garlick Hill Kean
Encyclopedia
Robert Garlick Hill Kean (October 7, 1828 – June 13, 1898) was a Virginia lawyer and Civil War bureaucrat, whose wartime diary, published after his death, continues to provide useful insight into the inner workings of the Confederate government during the War.
Kean obtained his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Virginia
, and began his law practice in Lynchburg, Virginia
. He married Jane Nicholas Randolph, a daughter of Thomas Jefferson Randolph
and descendant of Thomas Jefferson
, and their children included Dr. Jefferson Randolph Kean, who became a distinguished Army doctor and colleague of Walter Reed
. Both Jane Kean and Jefferson Kean were buried in the cemetery at Monticello
. The Kean collection at the University of Virginia includes many of the older Kean's papers, including volumes of correspondence with his son Jefferson Kean.
When the Civil War
began, Kean enlisted as a private. In 1862, his wife's uncle, George Wythe Randolph, took Kean on as his aide, and Kean followed him into the War Department at Richmond. Kean became the chief of the Bureau of War. His immediate supervisor was John Archibald Campbell
, the former U.S. Supreme Court justice. Of Kean's wartime diary, the Encyclopedia of the American Civil War provides this description: "Published as Inside the Confederate Government in 1957, this primary source is for the most part accurate, critical, objective, and reflective of the drama that was the Civil War. Virtually every significant character, of both the military and civilian sectors, who comprised the highest levels of the Confederate government is discussed within this diary. It remains an indispensable resource for those seeking first-hand, in-depth discussion and analysis of the Richmond government." The diary was edited by history professor Edward E. Younger, of the University of Virginia
. The diary was reprinted in paperback in 1993. From the time of Gettysburg, "[o]n July 7, 1863, Kean wrote that Lee had captured 40,000 of the enemy at Gettysburg but remained skeptical as there was no official news. The next day, he recorded the truth. 'The week just ended has been one of unexampled disaster since the war began.' Vicksburg had surrendered and Gettysburg was 'a virtual if not an actual defeat.'"
After the War, Kean resumed his law practice in Richmond. He was a charter member and served as the second president of The Virginia Bar Association
. He served on the Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia
, including two terms as rector.
At the time of his death, Kean was "with the exception of Postmaster-General Reagan, of Texas, the highest civil officer of the Confederacy living."
Kean obtained his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
, and began his law practice in Lynchburg, Virginia
Lynchburg, Virginia
Lynchburg is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The population was 75,568 as of 2010. Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains along the banks of the James River, Lynchburg is known as the "City of Seven Hills" or "The Hill City." Lynchburg was the only major city in...
. He married Jane Nicholas Randolph, a daughter of Thomas Jefferson Randolph
Thomas Jefferson Randolph
Thomas Jefferson Randolph of Albemarle County was a planter and politician who served in the Virginia House of Delegates, was rector of the University of Virginia, and was a colonel in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War...
and descendant of Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence and the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom , the third President of the United States and founder of the University of Virginia...
, and their children included Dr. Jefferson Randolph Kean, who became a distinguished Army doctor and colleague of Walter Reed
Walter Reed
Major Walter Reed, M.D., was a U.S. Army physician who in 1900 led the team that postulated and confirmed the theory that yellow fever is transmitted by a particular mosquito species, rather than by direct contact...
. Both Jane Kean and Jefferson Kean were buried in the cemetery at Monticello
Monticello
Monticello is a National Historic Landmark just outside Charlottesville, Virginia, United States. It was the estate of Thomas Jefferson, the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence, third President of the United States, and founder of the University of Virginia; it is...
. The Kean collection at the University of Virginia includes many of the older Kean's papers, including volumes of correspondence with his son Jefferson Kean.
When the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
began, Kean enlisted as a private. In 1862, his wife's uncle, George Wythe Randolph, took Kean on as his aide, and Kean followed him into the War Department at Richmond. Kean became the chief of the Bureau of War. His immediate supervisor was John Archibald Campbell
John Archibald Campbell
John Archibald Campbell was an American jurist.Campbell was born near Washington, Georgia, to Col. Duncan Greene Campbell...
, the former U.S. Supreme Court justice. Of Kean's wartime diary, the Encyclopedia of the American Civil War provides this description: "Published as Inside the Confederate Government in 1957, this primary source is for the most part accurate, critical, objective, and reflective of the drama that was the Civil War. Virtually every significant character, of both the military and civilian sectors, who comprised the highest levels of the Confederate government is discussed within this diary. It remains an indispensable resource for those seeking first-hand, in-depth discussion and analysis of the Richmond government." The diary was edited by history professor Edward E. Younger, of the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
. The diary was reprinted in paperback in 1993. From the time of Gettysburg, "[o]n July 7, 1863, Kean wrote that Lee had captured 40,000 of the enemy at Gettysburg but remained skeptical as there was no official news. The next day, he recorded the truth. 'The week just ended has been one of unexampled disaster since the war began.' Vicksburg had surrendered and Gettysburg was 'a virtual if not an actual defeat.'"
After the War, Kean resumed his law practice in Richmond. He was a charter member and served as the second president of The Virginia Bar Association
Virginia Bar Association
The Virginia Bar Association is a voluntary organization of lawyers in Virginia, with offices in Richmond, Virginia.- VBA Mission : is the independent voice of the Virginia lawyer, advancing the highest ideals of the profession through advocacy and volunteer service.- History :The VBA, , was...
. He served on the Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
, including two terms as rector.
At the time of his death, Kean was "with the exception of Postmaster-General Reagan, of Texas, the highest civil officer of the Confederacy living."