John W. “Don” Barrett graduated from The University of Mississippi with a great appreciation of history and the ability to write well – both of which have figured prominently into his successful legal career. Now he’s saluting a professor who influenced him with a $100,000 gift.
The Lexington attorney is providing the lead gift for the Harry Owens Civil War Library, which will serve as a key component of the new Center for Civil War Research. Owens, a professor emeritus of history, taught from 1964 through 1998.
“When I learned that a Civil War research initiative was underway at the university and part of it would be a library collection honoring Harry Owens, I welcomed the opportunity to give my support,” Barrett said. “I believe the Civil War has shaped our lives in ways none of us fully realize, and for that reason and more, I feel that it’s appropriate to study this conflict. This is a great initiative for the university and for the state of Mississippi, as well as a fitting way to honor a tremendous professor.
“Dr. Harry Owens helped me develop a love and appreciation of history that I have carried with me for 40 years,” said Barrett – who with his wife, Nancy, has provided longtime support to the couple’s alma mater. “He also taught me to write well, which impacted the briefs I have written in my legal career. In turn, I have taught many young lawyers the skill, as well as my own children.”
Harry Owens expressed his appreciation to his former student and talked about the importance of Civil War study, saying, “The Civil War was a tremendously important period in American history. The Revolutionary War gave us the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution or a prescription of what America could be; the Civil War started to turn those words into reality, preserved the Union and abolished slavery. I taught classes on the Civil War for years and think those two ideas deserve study and research.
“I am very pleased Don Barrett chose to support the center through this generous library gift in my honor. I taught Don and his three children, and the Barretts are a great Ole Miss family,” he said.
John Neff, director of the Center for Civil War Research and associate professor of history, said Barrett’s gift is key to the center’s success.
“In order for this new center to provide a scholarly environment for Civil War research, what we need most of all is a solid research foundation,” he said. “From the very beginning, the Harry P. Owens Civil War Library has been thought of as the heart of the center’s program. We are deeply grateful to Don Barrett; very simply, his extraordinary generosity has made the center possible.”
Glenn Hopkins, dean of liberal arts, added his praise for the alumnus, saying, “Don Barrett has had a long and deep interest in the Civil War, and his gift to the center reflects that interest. We are profoundly grateful for Don’s support and thoughtful advice in helping establish the center.”
Barrett is one of two partners in the 14-lawyer firm Barrett Law Office, P.A., headquartered in Lexington, with a second office in Nashville. For almost 40 years, he has maintained an active trial practice and has substantial experience in state and federal courts throughout the nation, primarily in product liability, environmental torts and consumer fraud. Barrett played a national leadership role in the litigation against tobacco companies and was featured in three books. He has been the lead or co-lead counsel in a number of national class-action cases, including several with record-breaking damage settlements.
As an undergraduate, Barrett was selected for a Carrier Scholarship – one of the most prestigious scholastic awards at UM. He graduated magna cum laude in 1967 before going on to complete a juris doctorate with honors from the School of Law in 1969. He was selected for the Hall of Fame and served as editor of the yearbook.
Among those areas at UM that have received support from Barrett and his wife, Nancy, are the School of Law, the Ford Center for Performing Arts, the Indoor Practice Facility and other athletics programs.
The Owens Civil War Library Fund is open to accept gifts from individuals and organizations, and contributions should be directed to the University Foundation.
For more information on contributing to initiatives at the University of Mississippi, go to www.umfoundation.com/makeagift.