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CHAPTER XXVI
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CHAPTER XXVI

THE SCHOOLS FROM 1825 TO 1905

Principle of Independent Schools—Professors Individually
Responsible—Examinations and Honors—
Titled and Untitled Degrees—Changes in the
Schools—Succession of Professors.

In Mr. Jefferson's plan each school was to have
its own building, and to be in charge of a professor
responsible for his methods and achievements to the
rector and Board of Visitors, but not to his colleagues.
This collection of independent schools
combined constituted the University of Virginia;
and the independent professors its faculty.

The principle of accountability was immediately
effective. The professor had every incentive to do
his best to elevate and advance the school assigned
to his care. Each was paid a fixed salary of $1,000
a year, and a certain proportion of the tuition fees
received from the students in his classes. This
added an inducement. The more successful the
school the larger the professor's emolument.

Another innovation in higher education was the
permission to the student to choose the subjects
which he would pursue while studying in the institution,
two conditions only being imposed—that he
be suitably prepared for the chosen classes; and
that he take three of these, in order that his time be
fully employed. This system of election clearly indicated
Mr. Jefferson's purpose to found a university,
for he would scarcely have approved the application
of this method to the usual college work. Indeed,
he had no conception of the modern college.


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In the enactments of 1825 Mr. Jefferson's plan for
examinations, and consequent honors, is outlined at
length:

"The examination of the candidates for honorary
distinction shall be held in the presence of the professors
and students in the week preceding the commencement
of the vacation. At these examinations,
shall be given to the highly meritorious only, and by
the vote of the majority of the professors, diplomas,
or premiums of medals or books, to be provided by
the University, to wit: diplomas to those of the
highest qualifications; medals, of more or less value,
to those of a second grade of acquisition; and books,
of more or less value, to those of a third.

"These diplomas shall be of two degrees: the
highest of Doctor, the second of Graduate; and the
diplomas of each shall express the particular school
or schools in which the candidate shall have been declared
eminent, and shall be subscribed by the particular
professors approving it.

"But no diploma shall be given to any one who has
not passed such an examination in the Latin language
as shall have proved him able to read the
highest classics in the language with ease, thorough
understanding and just quantity. And if he be a
proficient in Greek, let that, too, be stated in the diploma;
the intention being that the reputation of the
University shall not be committed but to those who,
to an eminence in some one or more of the sciences
taught in it, add proficiency in those languages which
constitute the basis of a good education, and are indispensable
to fill up the character of a `well educated
man.' "

The second paragraph of this plan emphasizes
once more the responsibility of each professor for


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the work of his school. The diploma is a school diploma,
and is made to impart such significance as the
character and worth of the professor can confer.

In 1826 the faculty reported to the Visitors a plan
for the public examinations. They recommended
that a committee of the faculty for each school, and
not the faculty as a whole, should hold the examinations;
and that the examinations be written instead
of oral. A further recommendation was—

"To drop all the old unmeaning titles, and adopt
in their stead the single term of `Graduate,' except
in the Medical School, where it will be necessary to
retain the title of M. D. The degree of Graduate
shall be conferred on those only who have acquired
an accurate and extensive knowledge of the subject
of one or more of the classes (in a school), or in any
single language. But it is understood that in every
case the candidate shall give the faculty satisfactory
proof of his ability to write the English language
correctly. The certificate of each graduate shall express
each particular subject in which he shall have
been declared eminent, attested by the particular professor.
But these degrees shall be conferred only by
a vote of the majority, and in the name of the whole
faculty. The exact title shall be Graduate U. V."

While the Board consented to these changes, it
took up again the question of examinations and degrees,
and at the meeting in 1828 the faculty was
asked —

"To consider and report to the Board whether
some change be not proper in the regulations concerning
degrees; whether it may not be proper to
adopt the ancient denominations of Bachelor, Master,
and Doctor, or some of them; and whether it be
not proper to prescribe, as nearly as may be, what


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kind of proficiency in the learning of the several
schools shall entitle a student to each degree, always
holding in view the necessity of making a degree an
evidence of real merit, and a reward for the requirements
of persevering industry."

The result of the faculty's deliberation was its report
in favor of a degree entitled Master of Arts of
the University of Virginia, which, as finally arranged
(1832), required graduation in the schools
of Ancient Languages, Mathematics, Natural Philosophy,
Chemistry, Moral Philosophy, and in at
least two of the languages in the School of Modern
Languages. For more than fifty years, during
which some changes were made in the requirements,
this degree was the highest academical honor conferred
by the University. At present the candidate
for the M. A. must in general be in possession of a
preliminary baccalaureate degree, although the B. A.
U. Va. and the M. A. are occasionally conferred
simultaneously. The candidates for the higher
honor must satisfactorily complete four M. A.
courses in the University.

(1) Bachelor of Arts of the University of Virginia
(B. A. Univ. Va.); established 1848, when
the requirements were graduation in any two of the
scientific schools (Mathematics, Natural Philosophy
or Chemistry), and in two of the literary schools
(Ancient Languages, Modern Languages or Moral
Philosophy), and also distinction at an intermediate
and final examination of the junior class of the two
remaining academic schools.

(2) Bachelor of Science, 1868, discontinued
1880, and re-established 1882 as Bachelor of Science
of the University of Virginia (B. S. Univ. Va.);
requirements, graduation in Pure Mathematics,


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Natural Philosophy, General Chemistry, and Natural
History and Geology. The degree of Bachelor
of Science went into a kind of partial eclipse in 1889,
but it is thrice referred to in the catalogue of the Department
of Engineering as existing—that is to say,
in 1896, 1897 and 1898. In the announcement for
the session of 1897-98 it is said that "the B. S. is
conferred upon a student who has been graduated in
seven B. S. courses selected from the following five
groups, but so that at least one course is taken from
each group, and has in addition been graduated in
two of the seven schools elected." The groups referred
to were: 1. Mathematics and Mechanics;
2. Physics and Astronomy; 3. Chemistry and Analytical
Chemistry; 4. Geology and Biology; 5.
Applied Mathematics. It is now announced in the
department of Agriculture.

(3) Bachelor of Letters established in 1869, and
discontinued 1880; re-established 1882 as Bachelor
of Letters of the University of Virginia (B. Let.
Univ. Va.); requirements, graduation in Latin,
Greek, and Moral Philosophy, and in the Modern
Languages, or in English, or in Historical Science.
Discontinued 1889.

(4) Bachelor of Philosophy of the University of
Virginia (B. Ph. Univ. Va.); requirements, graduation
in any three of the following subjects: Latin,
Greek, both French and German, English, Historical
Science and Moral Philosophy; and, also, in any
two of the following: Pure Mathematics, Natural
Philosophy, General Chemistry, and Natural History
and Geology. Established 1883, discontinued
1889.

(5) Doctor of Letters of the University of Virginia
(D. Let. Univ. Va.); requirements, the degree


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of Bachelor of Letters and graduation in any two of
the Literary Schools. Established 1883, discontinued
1889.

(6) Doctor of Science of the University of Virginia
(D. S. Univ. Va.); requirements, the degree
of Bachelor of Science and graduation in any two of
the scientific schools. Established 1883, discontinued
1889.

(7) Doctor of Philosophy of the University of
Virginia (Ph. D., Univ. Va.). Established 1883.
The candidate for this degree must be in possession
of a satisfactory baccalaureate degree, must spend at
least three years in graduate work, a portion of
which may be done in an institution of similar grade
to the University, and must write a dissertation
which is satisfactory to the faculty.

The above enumerated degrees, together with
that of Master of Arts, have constitued the highest
academic honors of the University and are known
as titled degrees. There were at one time three
forms of untitled degrees, viz: a certificate of distinction
(on paper), a certificate of proficiency
(parchment), and a diploma of graduation. The
certificate of distinction was discontinued. It was
conferred upon one who had passed a satisfactory
examination (three-fourths of the total value of the
questions) at any intermediate or final examination.
A certificate of proficiency was awarded to one who
had passed a satisfactory examination on any of the
following subjects: Anglo-Saxon, Early English,
Modern English, Rhetoric and English Literature,
General History, Political Economy, and Science of
Society, Logic, Philosophy, Junior and Intermediate
Mathematics, Junior Physics, Agricultural
Chemistry, Mineralogy, Geology, Botany, Physiology,


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Human Anatomy, Medical Jurisprudence,
Pharmacy, and Constitutional and International
Law. As far as the catalogues show the last proficiencies
awarded were conferred on June 12, 1895.

The diploma of graduation is still conferred on
one who has satisfactorily completed the work for
the M. A. course, as, for instance, in Latin, Greek,
Mathematics, etc. Each school confers the untitled
degree of graduate on completion of the entire
course taught in that school. "A student who has
received this diploma of graduation in Latin, say,
is entitled to call himself a graduate of the University
of Virginia in Latin."

To the above untitled degrees of early origin and
long continuance is to be added the pass-certificate
which is awarded to one who accomplishes satisfactorily
the first or second year of collegiate work prescribed
for the school in question.

The elective system has not been generally understood,
and its existence in other American universities
has been claimed in ignorance of what it really
is. Part of it is the negation of the class system
and the refusal to admit time (except as a minimum)
as a consideration in awarding degrees, titled or untitled.
The only exactions are proper preparation
and enough classes to employ the student. When he
becomes a candidate for a titled degree he must conform
to the requirements; he is not allowed to elect
his own combination of studies, although he may
exercise choice as to the order in which he will take
up the required subjects.

A brief sketch of the evolution of the schools will
exhibit to some extent the development of the University.
By Mr. Jefferson's organization the work
in literature and science was distinctly assigned—


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the literary subjects to the Schools of Ancient Languages,
Modern Languages, and Moral Philosophy;
the scientific to the Schools of Mathematics, Natural
Philosophy, Natural History, and Anatomy and
Medicine. The founder did not consider the School
of Anatomy and Medicine one to afford professional
training.

The Literary and Scientific Schools have been expanded
from seven to fourteen. At present the literary
are the Schools of Latin, Greek, Teutonic Languages,
Romanic Languages, English, Literature,
Historical and Economical Science, Moral Philosophy,
and the Curry School of Education; and the
Scientific are the Schools of Mathematics, Applied
Mathematics, Practical Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry,
Natural History and Geology, and Biology.

It is instructive to follow the expansion, and the
incidental changes, in detail.

Academic Department.

Ancient Languages:

The School of Ancient Languages, established in
1825, with Professor George Long as the first incumbent
of the chair, consisted of Latin and Greek,
and, until 1856, the work of teaching these languages,
and Roman and Greek history and literature,
was assigned to but one person. Professor
Long's service extended from 1825 to 1828, with a
short period of absence in the summer of the first of
these years, when he returned to England to receive
his fellowship at Trinity. During this furlough Professor
Thomas H. Key, of the School of Mathematics,
without neglecting the duties of his own
chair, taught acceptably all of Mr. Long's classes.


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In 1828 Mr. Long was invited to the University
of London, just established, and was regretfully released
by Mr. Madison, the rector, to whom Lord
Brougham had addressed an urgent letter on the
subject. The retiring professor was asked to suggest
a successor, and it was expected that he would
indicate some fellow-countryman. On the contrary,
he nominated Gessner Harrison, one of the first students
who had graduated in his own school and had
recently attained his majority. The Board accepted
the young Virginian, and the University profited by
his thirty-one years of faithful service.

The School of Ancient Languages was divided in
1856 and became the School of Latin and the School
of Greek.

Professor Harrison filled the chair of Latin for
three years, 1856-59, when he resigned, and was succeeded
by Lewis Coleman (1859-61), who was fatally
wounded at Fredericksburg in 1862. Basil L.
Gildersleeve taught through the sessions and fought
through the summers of 1861-65, and was succeeded
in 1865 by William E. Peters, who continued at the
head of the school until 1902, when he became Professor
Emeritus. Thomas Fitzhugh followed him
and is the incumbent.

The School of Greek, as a separate chair, dates
from 1856. Professors: Basil L. Gildersleeve,
1856-76;[1] Thomas R. Price, 1876-82; W. H.
Wheeler, 1882-87; Milton W. Humphreys since
1887.

 
[1]

Dr. Gildersleeve was twenty-five years of age when he
was made professor of Greek and Hebrew—for Hebrew was
then attached to the chair of Greek—but he was already a
Ph. D. of Göttingen. In 1876 he was called to the Johns
Hopkins University. Professor Price came to the University
from Randolph-Macon, and in 1882 went to Columbia.


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Modern Languages:

George Blaettermann was the founder of the
School of Modern Languages (1825), in which he
held himself prepared to teach almost any modern
tongue. He retired in 1840. Other professors were
Charles Kraitsir,[2] 1841-44; Dr. Maximilian Schele
De Vere,[3] 1844-95; Joachim Reinhard, acting professor
of French and German, 1895-96; James A.
Harrison, English, French and Spanish, 1896-98;
Romance Languages, 1898-99; Teutonic Languages
since 1898; William H. Perkinson, German
and Italian, 1896-98; Richard H. Wilson, Romanic


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Languages since 1899. A foreigner founded the
school, and his successors were foreign born until
1896.

The School of Modern Languages was divided at
the beginning of the session of 1898-99 into the
School of Teutonic Languages, of which Dr. James
A. Harrison has since been professor, and the School
of Romanic Languages, Dr. Richard H. Wilson
professor.

 
[2]

Dr. Blaettermann's successor, Dr. Kraitsir, was a native of
Hungary, and was educated at Pesth and Vienna. After a
brief practice of medicine he joined the Polish patriots in their
effort to throw off the Russian yoke, and served as a surgeon
at Warsaw and in the field. His life was migratory for years,
during which he sojourned in Germany, Italy, France and
Belgium. The languages of all those countries he spoke fluently,
and he was regarded as a remarkable linguist. Dr.
Kraitsir retired from the University in 1844 and eventually
made his home in Morrisania, New York.

[3]

Dr. Schele was a native of Sweden, but at eight years of
age his father's family went to Southern Germany, where he
grew to manhood. He studied at Berlin and Bonn, receiving
his doctorate from the former. The following year Greifswald
gave him the degree of Juris Utriusque Doctor. After a
short term in the military and later in the diplomatic service
of Prussia he came to America and spent a year in travel, and
in study in Boston, where he met Ticknor and Longfellow.
He retired from his chair after 51 years of service and died at
the Providence Hospital in Washington May 10, 1898.
The funeral was held from Christ Church, Navy Yard, and
the interment in Rock Creek Cemetery. The pall-bearers were
Holmes Conrad, Leigh Robinson, Charles L. Bartlett, O. W.
Underwood, John Sharpe Williams, W. A. Jones, William B.
Mathews, and E. I. Renick.

Dr. Schele did much for the University. His work as an
author covered a wide field—philology, sociology, fiction. He
compiled and published a semi-centennial catalogue which
stands first among books about the University for the varied
and important information it contains.

Mathematics:

Thomas Hewitt Key organized the School of
Mathematics in 1825, and remained at its head until
1827. He seems never to have been satisfied in
America, certainly not after the disorders of October,
1825. Together with Mr. Long he tendered his
resignation on that unhappy occasion, but it was not
accepted. During the eighteen months following he
twice endeavored to resign, and the last time entered
a plea of failing health in the Virginia climate. He
was released then, and his successors have been
Charles Bonnycastle, 1827-40; J. J. Sylvester,
1840-41; Edward H. Courtenay, 1842-53; Albert
T. Bledsoe, 1854-63;[4] Robert T. Massie, 1861-62;
Francis H. Smith, 1863-65; Pike Powers was professor
by temporary appointment from 1840 to 1841
and again from 1842 to 1843, and Alexander Nelson


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from 1853 to 1854; Charles S. Venable,
1865-96 (Emeritus, 1896-1900); W. H. Echols
since 1896; James M. Page, adjunct, 1896-98, and
asociate 1898-1902, professor since 1902.

 
[4]

One of the most gifted and aggressive of men was Dr.
Alfred Taylor Bledsoe. Previous to his removal to the University
he was professor of mathematics in the University of
Mississippi. He was a contemporary of Jefferson Davis and
Robert E. Lee at West Point, and as a lawyer practiced in
the same courts in Illinois as Lincoln and Douglas. He went
to Europe during the war at Mr. Davis's request to have the
use of the library in the British Museum in preparing his
book, "Is Davis a Traitor?"

Applied Mathematics:

The School of Applied Mathematics was established
in 1867. Professors: Leopold J. Boeck,
1867-75; William M. Thornton, adjunct, 1875-83,
professor since 1883; William M. Echols, adjunct,
1891-96.

Chemistry:

The School of Chemistry was organized in 1825
by Dr. John P. Emmet (1825-42). Other professors:
Robert E. Rogers, 1842-52; J. Lawrence
Smith, 1852-53; Socrates Maupin, 1853-71; John
W. Mallet since 1872.

Chemical Technology and Agricultural Science
(1867)—Professor: John W. Mallet, 1867-68.
changed to—

Analytical, Industrial, and Agricultural Chemistry
(1868)—Professor: John W. Mallet, 1868-72.
Changed to—

General and Applied Chemistry (1872)—Professors:
John W. Mallet, 1872-84; F. P. Dunnington
(acting), 1884-5. Changed to—

General and Industrial Chemistry (1885)—Professor:
John W. Mallet since 1885.

Analytical and Agricultural Chemistry (1885)—
Professor: F. P. Dunnington since 1885.

Natural Philosophy:

The School of Natural Philosophy dates from
1825 and was organized by Charles Bonnycastle,


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who was transferred to the School of Mathematics
on the retirement of Professor Key. Other professors:
Robert M. Patterson, 1828-35; William
B. Rogers, 1835-53; Francis H. Smith, since 1853.

Natural History and Agriculture:

Samuel Miller of Lynchburg gave to the University
in trust one hundred thousand dollars for the
establishment of a department of scientific and
practical agriculture. In September, 1869, on the
nomination of the Miller Board of Trustees, John
W. Mallet was elected professor of analytical and
agricultural chemistry and Leopold J. Boeck professor
of mechanics and engineering as applied to
agriculture, and the department was put into
effect. In the following July was established the
School of Natural History and Experimental and
Practical Agriculture (1870)—John R. Page, professor,
1872-79. The school was then rearranged,
and became Zoology, Agricultural Botany and Agriculture
(1879)—John R. Page, professor until
1887, when another readjustment was effected,
under the title of the School of Biology and Agriculture
(1887)—Albert H. Tuttle, professor since
1888.

Natural History and Geology (1879)—William
M. Fontaine, professor since 1879. In this year W.
W. Corcoran of Washington, a generous friend of
the University, gave $50,000 to endow a school of
this character, and Geology—heretofore attached
to the School of Natural Philosophy—and Natural
History, and a part of the department of Agriculture
were combined in one school.


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Moral Philosophy:

The School of Moral Philosophy, dating from
1825, has had but three professors: George Tucker,
1825-45; William H. McGuffey, 1845-73; Noah
K. Davis since 1873.

History and Literature:

The School of History and General Literature
was established in 1857, with George Frederick
Holmes as professor. In 1882, Political Economy,
which had been attached to the School of Moral
Philosophy since George Tucker had introduced it
in the early years of his professorship, was substituted
for Literature, which was assigned to Professor
Garnett. Thus arranged it was called the
School of Historical Science. Richard H. Dabney
was adjunct professor 1889-97. In 1897 Professor
Holmes died and the School of Historical and Economical
Sciences was established, with Dr. Dabney
professor. He is still the incumbent.

In 1882 the School of English Language and Literature
was established, James M. Garnett, professor
until 1893. In that year the School of English
Literature was arranged as a separate department,
Charles W. Kent, professor. This school,
known as the Linden Kent Memorial School of
English Literature, was founded upon a liberal gift
of Mrs. Kent as a memorial to her late husband.[5]


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This organization of the School of English Literature
left English Language as an independent
school and it continued so until 1896, when it was
transferred to Professor Harrison, who at that time
had French and Spanish. Two years later it became
a part of the School of Teutonic Languages.

 
[5]

Linden Kent came to the University as a student from service
as a Confederate private, having enlisted at sixteen. He
was first a student in the academic department and then in
the law, and was graduated in 1870 with the degree of B. L.
His fellow-students had conferred upon him several honors,
among them an editorship of the University Magazine, and he
won the Debater's medal in the Washington Society.

Practical Astronomy:

The School of Practical Astronomy was founded
in 1881 on a gift by Leander J. McCormick, a
native of Virginia, resident in Chicago, and on supplementary
contributions by William H. Vanderbilt
and others. Professor Ormond Stone, the first incumbent,
has been director since 1882.

Professional Schools.

The professional schools, named in the order of
establishment, are those of Medicine, Law and Engineering.

For two years at least the School of Medicine had
a cultural purpose only, but in 1827 it was enlarged.
Dr. Dunglison, the original head, was made professor
of physiology, theory and practice of medicine,
obstetrics and medical jurisprudence; Dr.
Emmet, chemistry and materia medica, and Dr.
Thomas Johnson, demonstrator of anatomy and
surgery. The following scheme exhibits the development
of the School of Medicine from its
foundation to the present time. The dates in parentheses
indicate the time of inaugurating the particular
arrangements to which they are attached.

Department of Medicine:

Medicine (1825)—Professors: Robley Dunglison,
1825-33; Alfred T. Magill, 1833-37; R.


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E. Griffith, 1837-39; Henry Howard, 1839-67.
Changed to—

Medicine and Obstetrics (1867)—Professor:
James F. Harrison, 1867-79. Changed to —

Medicine, Obstetrics, and Medical Jurisprudence
(1879)—Professors: James F. Harrison, 1879-86;
William C. Dabney, 1886-90. Changed to—

Obstetrics and Practice of Medicine (1890)—
Professors: William C. Dabney, 1890-94; Augustus
H. Buckmaster, acting, 1894-95, professor
1895-6. Changed to—

Gynecology, Obstetrics, and Practice of Medicine
(1896)—Professor: Augustus H. Buckmaster,
1896-99. Changed to—

Gynecology, Obstetrics, Surgical Diseases, and
Abdominal Surgery (1899)—Professor: Augustus
H. Buckmaster, 1899-1905.

Pathology and Hygiene (1893)—Instructor:
John Staige Davis, 1893-94; adjunct, 1894-99.
Changed to—

Pathology (1899)—Professor: John Staige
Davis, 1899-1900. Changed to—

Pathology and Practice of Medicine (1900)—
Professor: John Staige Davis since 1900.

Biology (1887)—Professor: Albert H. Tuttle
since 1888.

Bacteriology (1891)—Professor: Albert H.
Tuttle since 1891; J. Carroll Flippin, adjunct since
1904.

Anatomy and Surgery (1827)—Demonstrator:
Thomas Johnson, 1827-31; professor, 1831-34;
Augustus L. Warner, 1834-37; James L. Cabell,
1837-49; demonstrator, John Staige Davis [Sr.],
1845-49; lecturer and demonstrator, 1849-53; lecturer
on anatomy, materia medica, and therapeutics,


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1853-56; William B. Towles, 1872-85; acting professor,
1885-86; professor, 1886-93; demonstrator,
William G. Christian, 1889-93; professor, 18931905.

Comparative Anatomy, Physiology and Surgery
(1849)—Professor: James L. Cabell, 1849-61.

Anatomy, Materia Medica, Therapeutics and
Botany (1856)—Professor: John Staige Davis,
1856-61. Changed to—

Anatomy and Materia Medica (1861)—Professors:
John Staige Davis, 1861-85; William B.
Towles, acting, 1885-86; professor, 1886-93.

Physiology and Surgery (1861)—Professors:
James L. Cabell, 1861-89; Paul B. Barringer,
1889-94. Changed to—

Physiology and Materia Medica (1894)—Paul
B. Barringer since 1894.

Hygiene—Lectureship established in 1898, William
A. Lambeth, incumbent; taught theretofore by
Dr. John Staige Davis, beginning 1893. This was
expanded in 1901 into the lectureship of hygiene and
materia medica. The following year the lecturer,
Dr. Lambeth, was made adjunct professor, and in
1903 professor.

The degree of M. D. was conferred in 1838 for
the first time; the recipients were Gessner Harrison
of Rockingham, George W. McCulloch of Albemarle,
and Thomas J. White of Florida.

Department of Law:

The frequent rearrangements of subjects in the
medical department has not entirely obliterated the
original distinction of schools. In the Department
of Law, however, the two schools, in which the


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original one was divided in 1851, have become simply
a number of classes.

John Tayloe Lomax, the first professor of law,
entered upon his duties July, 1826, and retired four
years later. John A. G. Davis, his successor, was
assassinated in 1840, and the work of the school for
that year was completed by Nathaniel Pope Howard.
Mr. Howard was killed in the capitol disaster
in Richmond, April 27, 1870.[6]

Judge Henry St. George Tucker was incumbent
from 1841 to 1845, when he resigned on account of
failing health.[7] Then began the remarkable career
as a teacher of law of John B. Minor, which extended
to the year of his death, 1895.

In 1851 James P. Holcombe entered the service of
the School of Law as adjunct, and in 1854 became
professor. At that time he was one of the most distinguished
men in the faculty. He rightly interpreted
the signs of the times as portending a terrible
civil conflict, and became a leader of the thought
that solidified the South. As an orator at once persuasive
and passionate, he swayed the opinions of
all who heard him, and not only almost but fully
convinced them that there was but one side to the
tremendous controversy. His connection with the
University ended in 1861, in which year he was a


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member of the Secession Convention. The Confederacy
claimed his service in Congress and in confidential
relations until its collapse in 1865.

Holcombe was succeeded by Stephen O. Southall,
1866-84; and he by James H. Gilmore, 1885-96.

William Minor Lile entered the faculty in 1893,
becoming the colleague of Professors Minor and
Gilmore. Upon the death of Mr. Minor in 1895,
Walter D. Dabney succeeded him, but death claimed
him after three years of service (1899), and Charles
A. Graves has filled the chair since that year. There
have been two assistants or instructors—John B.
Minor, Jr., 1890-93; Raleigh C. Minor, 1893-95.
The latter was made adjunct 1895-99, and professor
since the last named date.

The degree of Bachelor of Law was conferred for
the first time in July, 1829, on Charles L. Mosby of
Powhatan and Nathaniel Wolfe of Charlottesville.

Outside influences which affected the graduate
have forced the element of time into the conditions
precedent to the conferring of the degrees in Law
and Medicine. Two years are required in residence
for the degree of Bachelor of Law, and four for
that of Doctor of Medicine.

 
[6]

A footnote to the Richmond Mayoralty Case (Grattan,
xix, 673) tells the story of the collapse of the floors of the
building and the ensuing horror, and says of Howard that he
was of "extensive and varied learning which he as anxiously
concealed as others seek to make theirs known; accurate in
all things to a proverb, with the unswerving integrity and the
purity of life which secured to him the confidence and regard
of all who knew him."

[7]

John M. Patton was appointed professor of law July 4,
1845. He seems to have declined, although there is no record.
Mr. Minor was unanimously elected July 28.

Department of Engineering:

The present School of Engineering had its beginning
in a small way in 1867, doubtless through the
efforts of Professor Leopold J. Boeck,[8] whose connection


344

Page 344
with the University dates from the previous
year.

At first the chair in Professor Boeck's charge was
called the School of Applied Mathematics, Engineering,
and Architecture. The entire work of the
school from 1867 to 1875 was done by the professor
with assistants during two of the eight years. In
1875 the school was known as the department of
Applied Mathematics and Civil Engineering, William
M. Thornton succeeding Boeck as its head in
the grade of adjunct professor.

In 1882 the Department of Engineering was established
with this faculty:

Natural Philosophy, Professor Francis H. Smith;

Mathematics, Professor Charles S. Venable;

General and Applied Chemistry, Professor John
W. Mallet;

Natural History and Geology, Professor William
M. Fontaine;

Analytical and Agricultural Chemistry, Professor
F. P. Dunnington;

Mathematics applied to Engineering, Adjunct
Professor William M. Thornton.

The constitution of this department has not been
changed since 1882, but its scope has been greatly


345

Page 345
enlarged. Since that date an additional full professor
has been appointed in the School of Pure
Mathematics, the adjunct in Applied Mathematics
advanced to full professorship, and three adjunct
professors attached to the Department of Engineering,
who have charge of the purely technical
courses respectively in civil, mechanical and electrical
engineering, the professor of Applied Mathematics
having temporary charge of the course in
Mining Engineering. From the beginning of Mr.
Thornton's connection with the University in 1875
he has been in a large sense the School of Engineering,
and its remarkable growth and success would
seem to approve his policies.

The degrees conferred in this department are
those of Civil Engineering, instituted in 1868, and
Mining Engineering 1868, Mechanical Engineering,
1892, and Electrical Engineering, 1893. The
degree of Civil and Mining Engineering was conferred
from 1868 to 1879.

 
[8]

Leopold Jules Boeck was a native of Culm, Poland, and
was forty-four years of age when he reached the University
in 1866 after an adventurous career. The University of Berlin
conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Philosophy,
immediately after which he became involved in the Polish
Revolution of 1849. Its failure made him a fugitive from his
own country, and he took part in the revolution and uprising
in Hungary. He soon won the confidence of Kossuth and the
General sent him as envoy from Hungary to Turkey to ask
assistance. Instead of being aided he was imprisoned, but
after two years he was placed on the United States steam
frigate Mississippi and sent to Paris. There he fell in with
Victor Hugo and Victor Cousin. His anti-Napoleon sentiments
and his penchant for revolutions put him under suspicion,
and when Hugo was thrown into prison Boeck was
ordered to leave France. Reaching New York he established
a school in that city, which was broken up by the civil war.
Eventually he came to the University, where his early labors
resulted in one of the first cases of technical and industrial
education in universities. He died in Philadelphia in 1896.