Ancestors

Rex Stout came from a large family and a long line of ancestors, from both his mother's and father's sides of the family, whose arrivals date back to the very earliest European immigrants arriving in "the New World."  

To learn more about the Todhunter and Stout ancestors, click one of the option below to listen to or read Bob Gatten's presentation given at the 2011 Black Orchid Assembly:

Listen to the audio (MP3)

Read the presentation

Early Life

Rex Stout was born in Noblesville, IN. When Rex was an infant, the Stout family moved to Kansas, living in a few locations in and around Topeka. In addition to achieving Kansas state spelling bee champion at the age of 13, he was a math prodigy and graduated from high school at the age of 16. For further details, read the general biographical material referenced on the main page of this section. Below are links to additional information about his early life:

• Noblesville, IN covers their native son (his family moved to KS from IN when he was an infant)
  • Noblesville Daily Ledger finds out Rex Stout was born there!
  • First Home -- 1151 Cherry Street, Noblesville, IN 46151
  • Rex Stout Birth Certificate
  • Hamilton County, IN, articles
• Yeoman Stout -- Rex' First Interview in Topeka Daily Capital, January 13, 1907
  
  
• Washburn University tracks Stout family residences in Kansas (and has other great Stout quotations and excerpts)
  
  
• Stout's Review of The Book of Knowledge illuminates his early life of learning
  
  
• Insight into his early writing career from The Brooklyn Eagle, August 18, 1946