Reau E. (Reau Estes) Folk

Born in Brownsville, Tennessee, in 1865, Reau Estes Folk built a career that mixed journalism, public service, and historical advocacy. Reliable sources agree that he worked as a newspaper editor and journalist, and later served Tennessee in public office, including as clerk of the state House of Representatives and as state treasurer.

He is most closely associated today with Battle of New Orleans: Its Real Meaning, a book published in the 1930s and now preserved through Project Gutenberg and library catalogs. The work reflects his strong interest in American history and his desire to challenge what he believed were common misconceptions about that famous battle.

Folk died in 1948. Although he is not a widely known literary figure now, his career stands out for the way it joined regional journalism, state government, and a lasting interest in how history is told.