Louis J. Roussel, Jr. Collection
Scope and Contents
This collection contains information primarily pertaining to Roussel's new drilling barge, "Mr. Louie," including correspondence, notes, programs, newspaper clippings, receipts, ephemera, printed matter, and photographs. It also includes a few invitations to christenings of other barges, miscellaneous ribbons, Roussel's ancestor chart, obituaries for Roussel and his wife, and two volumes of his autobiography, "Friends, Enemies, & Victims." The collection also contains a model of Roussel's patented hydraulic jack along with a plaque recognizing his invention. Items separate from the manuscripts include a poster of a modern oil derrick, a watercolor and model of the "Mr. Louie" drilling platform, and a replica of an oil-exploration drill bit.
Dates
- 1955-2002
Conditions Governing Use
Physical rights are retained by Nicholls State University. Copyright is retained in accordance with U.S. copyright laws.
Biographical Note
Originally from Lafourche Parish, La., Louis J. Roussel Jr. was an oilman, banker, and financier in New Orleans. He began building his wealth in the oil business during the 1940s. In addition to patenting a special oil-drilling platform tool he called "The Roussel Jack," Roussel designed and constructed a new drilling barge that he christened "Mr. Louie" in 1959, which he contracted for oil exploration in various parts of the world. Roussel also made ventures in banking, insurance, real estate, and newspaper publishing. He was an avid financial supporter of various Louisiana politicians, including Edwin Edwards in his bids for governor.
Extent
3.5 Linear Feet (5 boxes)
Sensitive Materials Statement
This collection may contain material(s) with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which Ellender Memorial Library and Nicholls State University assume no responsibility.
- Barges -- Louisiana -- Design and construction
- Businessmen -- Louisiana -- New Orleans
- Capitalists and financiers -- Louisiana -- New Orleans
- Cocchiara, Lucy, 1910-2002
- Jackup rigs -- Louisiana -- Design and construction
- Jackup rigs -- Louisiana -- Patents
- Mr. Louie
- Offshore oil field equipment industry -- Louisiana
- Offshore oil well drilling -- Louisiana -- Equipment and supplies.
- Oil well drilling -- Louisiana
- Oil well drilling rigs -- Louisiana
- Oil wells -- Louisiana -- Equipment and supplies.
- Roussel, Charmaine
- Roussel, Louis J. III. (Louis Joseph)
- Roussel, Louis J. Jr. (Louis Joseph), 1906-2001
- Title
- Louis J. Roussel, Jr. Collection
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Nicholls State University Archives and Special Collections Repository
Ellender Memorial Library
Nicholls State University
906 E 1st St.
Thibodaux Louisiana 70310 USA
985-448-4621
clifton.theriot@nicholls.edu