PROF. WILLIAM M. THORNTON
Is a native Virginian, born in Cumberland county, Oct. 29, 1851, a
son of Col. John T. Thornton, who was born in 1824, and who served
in the late war as lieutenant colonel, and acting colonel of the 3rd Va.
cavalry, and was killed at the battle of Sharpsburg, in 1862. He was
a member of the convention of 1861. His grandfather, William Mynn
Thornton, resided at Oak Hill, Va. His mother, Martha Jane (Riddle)
Thornton, was born in 1829, a daughter of James Riddle, a merchant
of Petersburg, formerly of Belfast, Ireland. She now resides at
H. S. College, Va. Her mother's maiden name was Mary Morton.
Prof. Thornton married E. Rosalie Harrison, a daughter of Prof.
Gessner Harrison, of the University of Virginia. Her mother, Eliza
Lewis Carter, is a daughter of Hon. Geo. Tucker, member of Congress
from this state, and formerly professor of Moral Philosophy and Political
Economy in the University of Virginia. Prof. Thornton and his
wife have six children, born in the order named: John T., E. Carter,
Rosalie, Janet, William M., and C. Edward. Prof. Thornton was
prepared for college by Augustus Osborn, A. M., at his school in
Farmville; he entered the University of Virginia in October, 1868,
following his graduation from H. S. College in June, studied there two
sessions, then began his career as an educator and since then has filled
the chair of Mathematics in several different schools and colleges in
his native state and North Carolina; was made a full professor in
1883, and chairman of the Faculty of University of Virginia in 1888.
He is a member of the Presbyterian church, and his wife an Episcopalian.
His P. O. address is Charlottesville, Va.
