Born November 14, 1829, in
Spencer County, Kentucky, Burnett graduated from
Transylvania University, with three degrees, including ones in liberal arts and law. He was admitted to the
Kentucky Bar in 1846. After serving in the
Mexican–American War, he practiced law in
Taylorsville, being elected
district attorney the same year. He later became a farmer and left law. His obituary in
The Louisville Times erroneously claimed he was the last surviving member of the Confederate Congress. Burrnett Avenue in Louisville's Old Louisville neighborhood is named for him. ==References==