University of Virginia Library

The official Seal of the Univer
sity drawn by order of the Visitors
1819

The Duncan Smith seal was de
signed in 1916 but was never
officially adopted

A personal seal used by Jefferson

The spear and shield held by Minerva in the official seal as first drawn
were removed at the request of the first Rector, who later wrote to John
Vaughan 24 April 1820. You ask an explanation of our seal The en
graving in the field is a Minerva inventress and protectress of the arts
enrobed in her Peplum with an olive branch in one hand and a cornu
copia in the other emblems of peace plenty & true wisdom Our loving
sister Wm & Mary complains that we had pilfered her device her seal
being the temple of Minerva We say No She chose the temple we the
Goddess she the shell we the kernel The votaries of the temple will go
there those of the goddess here

DINNER IN HONOR OF THE RECTOR
AND THE RETIRING VISITORS OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA

ALFRED DICKINSON BARKSDALE
1946-1956

BARRON FOSTER BLACK
1945-1956

BENJAMIN WILLIAM MEARS
1946-1956

Tendered by their fellow Visitors still in harne

FARMINGTON

3 February 1956