Lincoln's Advocate: The Life of Judge Joseph Holt

One of Kentucky's highest-ranking national figures, the story of Judge Joseph Holt and his remarkable life has remained untold...until now.

Susan Dyer dove in with both hands, uncovering a brilliant legal mind who had been appointed cabinet posts under several presidents in such diverse positions as Commissioner of Patents, Postmaster General, Secretary of War, and finally, our nation’s first-ever Judge Advocate General. In this position, he had the tremendous responsibility of prosecuting the conspirators who had slain the very president who had appointed him to that office, President Abraham Lincoln.

Similarly fascinating, this book tells the story of Holt Mansion, its many mysteries, legends and historic events and the immense project to acquire and restore it to its antebellum splendor that is underway today.

No Kentucky collection or library will be complete without this amazing account.

Author

Born at Fort Knox, Susan Dyer was educated at Western Kentucky University with a B.S., M.A. and Rank I in Education. Formerly a Language a Language Arts teacher, Susan has been included numerous times in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.

Dyer lives in Breckinridge County, Kentucky, with her husband. They have two sons. Undertaking two projects at the same time, she has written the sensational story of Judge Joseph Holt, Judge Advocate General under President Lincoln, while working with various groups to save and restore Holt’s boyhood home as part of the Lincoln Bicentennial Celebration.

Susan has received the following honors in relation to her work with the Judge Joseph Holt House; Outstanding Citizen of the Commonwealth, by the Kentucky House of Representatives, 2008, Volunteer of the Year, Breckinridge County Chamber of Commerce, 2008-2009; Cooperative Hero, Kentucky Living Magazine, March 2010 and most recently, as Ida Lee Willis Memorial Foundation 2010 Service to Preservation Award.