Robert Caruthers
Dublin Core
Title
Robert Caruthers
Subject
Cumberland University
Robert Caruthers
Description
Undated portrait of Robert Caruthers.
Robert Looney Caruthers, born July 21, 1800, helped establish Cumberland University and Cumberland University Law School (now Cumberland School of Law, sold to Samford University in Homewood, AL in 1961). The Greenville College and Washington College alumni began his career in 1823. Throughout his life, he served as a clerk for the Tennessee House of Representatives (1823-1824), the attorney general for Lebanon (Sixth Judicial District; 1826-1832), the Tennessee militia’s brigadier-general in 1834, the representative for Wilson County in the Tennessee House of Representatives (1835-1837), the representative for Tennessee’s seventh district (parts of Middle and West TN) in the U.S. House of Representatives (1841-1843), state elector-at-large for the Whig Party in 1844, and Middle Tennessee’s justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court (1852-1862). In 1863, during the Civil War, the Confederates elected Caruthers as governor, ultimately replacing Governor Isham Harris. Due to the Union’s occupation of Middle Tennessee, Caruthers could not take oath before the General Assembly, a requirement of the governor-elect. Instead, future President Andrew Johnson became Tennessee’s governor, as elected by the Union forces.
Caruthers was a strong advocate for the establishment of Cumberland University. Robert and his brother, Judge Abraham Caruthers, created the first law school in the South, Cumberland School of Law, on January 9, 1847. He served as the Board of Trustees President from 1842 until his death in 1882. Following the death of his brother and the end of the Civil War, he became a Professor of Law, starting in 1866, which he performed until his resignation in 1881. He funded the construction of the Law School’s building, Caruthers Hall, in 1878. Robert Caruthers passed away on October 2, 1882. His home still stands today in Lebanon, serving as the home of Ligon and Bobo’s Funeral Home, and a large portrait (different from the one above) hangs in Baird Chapel, located in Memorial Hall.
Robert Looney Caruthers, born July 21, 1800, helped establish Cumberland University and Cumberland University Law School (now Cumberland School of Law, sold to Samford University in Homewood, AL in 1961). The Greenville College and Washington College alumni began his career in 1823. Throughout his life, he served as a clerk for the Tennessee House of Representatives (1823-1824), the attorney general for Lebanon (Sixth Judicial District; 1826-1832), the Tennessee militia’s brigadier-general in 1834, the representative for Wilson County in the Tennessee House of Representatives (1835-1837), the representative for Tennessee’s seventh district (parts of Middle and West TN) in the U.S. House of Representatives (1841-1843), state elector-at-large for the Whig Party in 1844, and Middle Tennessee’s justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court (1852-1862). In 1863, during the Civil War, the Confederates elected Caruthers as governor, ultimately replacing Governor Isham Harris. Due to the Union’s occupation of Middle Tennessee, Caruthers could not take oath before the General Assembly, a requirement of the governor-elect. Instead, future President Andrew Johnson became Tennessee’s governor, as elected by the Union forces.
Caruthers was a strong advocate for the establishment of Cumberland University. Robert and his brother, Judge Abraham Caruthers, created the first law school in the South, Cumberland School of Law, on January 9, 1847. He served as the Board of Trustees President from 1842 until his death in 1882. Following the death of his brother and the end of the Civil War, he became a Professor of Law, starting in 1866, which he performed until his resignation in 1881. He funded the construction of the Law School’s building, Caruthers Hall, in 1878. Robert Caruthers passed away on October 2, 1882. His home still stands today in Lebanon, serving as the home of Ligon and Bobo’s Funeral Home, and a large portrait (different from the one above) hangs in Baird Chapel, located in Memorial Hall.
Date
Late 1800s
Rights
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Format
.jpeg / portrait
Language
eng
Identifier
SA #2025-0255
RG: 902
Location: OS Artwork Shelf
RG: 902
Location: OS Artwork Shelf
Coverage
Lebanon, (Tenn.)
Still Image Item Type Metadata
Original Format
painting
Citation
“Robert Caruthers,” Stockton Archives Digital Collections, accessed July 9, 2025, https://cumberland.omeka.net/items/show/262.