Longwood College - Virginian Yearbook (Farmville, VA)

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used to provide free schools for all classes. The timeliness of the bequest may be better ajapreciated when it is recalled that at that time not a single Southern State had a system of free public schools ; illiteracy was fearfully prevalent, and property, on account of the War, had diminished greatly in value. The distribution of this fund was committed to Dr. Barnas Sears until his death in 18S1. He was succeeded by Dr. J. L. M. Curry, who was preeminently fitted for the position. He was a Southerner, and knew the needs and problems of the South as none but a Southerner could know them. He was a si;)n of a prominent landholder and slave-owner. Although he was born in Georgia, his early life was spent on a plantation in Alabama. He graduated from the Univereity of Georgia at the age of eighteen, then studied law at Harvard University, graduating at twenty. At the age of twenty-one he became a member of the Alabama Legislature and was reelected for two sessions ; he was a member of the United States Congress from 1857 to 1861, where his fine oratory attracted much attention. In 1866-67 Dr. Curry served as President of Howard College, Alabama. For thirteen years he was Professor in Richmond College and also jjresident of its Board of Trustees. He often occupied the pulpit as preacher although he had no regular charge, and was at one time President of the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. During his residence in Richmond he kept in close toiich with the men of the IN ' orth who were most interested in Southern education, and at the loath of Dr. Seai-s he seemed the natural one to fill the vacant place. For twenty-two years as agent of the Peabody Fund and for twelve years of the Slater Fund (which was for the education of the negro, solely) he had more to do with the organization of the common school system in the South than any other man. While agent for these two funds. Dr. Curry was twice sent to represent his country at a Foreign Court ; first as Minister Plenipotentiary to Spain by appointment of President Cleveland, and afterwards as representative of the Government at the Coronation of the Spanish King. Dr. Curry was also the author of many books. He was a wonderfully versatile man, — soldier, preacher, member (if Congress, State legislator, ad- ministrator of tAvo funds, professor, college president, author, orator, repre- sentative at Court, — and with it all a knightly gentleman and a lovable man. Dr. Curry died in Asheville, N. C, February 12, 1903, aged seventy-eight.

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Dr. J. L. M. Curry IT was iiiidev Dr. Curry ' s leadership tliat the establishment of State normal schools was inaugurated in the South. The Virginia School was among the first. He it was who originally drafted its bill. He was elected first presi- dent of its Board of Trustees, and was one of the committee to report a plan of organization for the school. As statesman and leader in educational matters, Dr. Curry stood preemi- nent in the South. As agent of the Peabody Fund, he was given opportunity for service which comes to few. In 1866 George Peabodv, already known for his munificent gifts, gave to the suffering South for the good of the Fuion more than $2,000,000 to be

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First Boaud uf ' Viwi-