The Letters of Clarence Darrow

The Riesenfeld Center holds the preeminent collection of autograph letters written by and to Clarence S. Darrow (1857-1938), America’s most famous trial lawyer. A tireless champion of lost causes and renowned for saving defendants from the death penalty, Darrow compiled an extraordinary record and participated in two “trials of the century” during his long career. Known for his stark philosophy and uncompromising stand on social issues, Darrow also became a celebrity outside the courtroom, adding to a legacy that carries on today.

The Darrow letter collection is the result of two major acquisitions guided by Joan S. Howland, the Roger F. Noreen Professor of Law and Associate Dean for Information and Technology at the University of Minnesota. The first acquisition marked the Law Library's millionth volume in 2004, while a subsequent purchase has allowed the Library to add in total more than 1000 letters to its collections. To augment these, we have acquired Darrow's books, articles, debates, speeches, photographs, and other published and unpublished works, including original trial materials, related to his life and legal career. The materials form the most significant research collection devoted to Clarence Darrow's life and career in the country.

The great majority of Darrow's letters have been digitized as part of the Clarence Darrow Digital Collection, an award-winning research site created by Michael Hannon, the Library's Associate Director for Access Services and Digital Initiatives. The Darrow Digital Collection includes letters and transcriptions, as well as trial briefs, decisions, articles, pamphlets, photographs, and other material.