Longwood College - Virginian Yearbook (Farmville, VA)

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First Boaud uf ' Viwi-

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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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First Board of Trustees GKX. WILLIA M BOOTH TALIAFERRO, eldest smi „f ll•nel• T. Taliaferro and Frances Booth, was Imni at lii ' llvilje, !lnueester County, December 2S, 18 ' 22. Tie was an alnnnms of AVilliani and Mary College, and afterwards studied law at Harvard. He served in the Mexican War, in the K inth Regiment. Later he was in ennniiand nf the Virginia Militia, and commanded the State troo])s at Charlestowii during the trial (if John Brown and his men in IS, ,!). When Virginia seceded, he was ordered to Xerfulk tn take charge of Virginia foi-ees there. By January 1, 1862, he was in eommand of a brigade under Oen. Stimewall Jackson, with whom he served brilliantly until wounded at Secend ilanassas. He sei ' ed elsewhere until the close of the War, when he retnnieil tn his home and took uj) the practice nf law. Genera] Taliafen-e married Miss Sally Lyons, of RielniKind. jirinr to the War. Like General Lee, he was deeply interested in the ediicalien (.f the sons and daughters of ex-Confederate soldiers, and of the youth of Virginia. As a member of the Boards of William and Mary College and of the State formal School, he did much, by his interest and wise counsel, to bring these institutions to their present efficiency. He was second jiresident of the Board of Trustees at Farmville. It was his proudest boast that he never missed a meeting of the Board. The last time he attended, he was so feeble as to need an attendant, but his affection for the institution was undiminished liy liis failing strength, and his great faith in her future undinuned. He dieil at his home Dunham- massie, February 28, 1898, after a long life of eons])ieuoiis service for his fellow-men. John L. Bucii.vnax, LL. T)., is a nati -e of Smith ( ' onnl ' . He graduateil from Emory and Henry College, laler spi ' nding a year at llie ruiv ' rsity ol ' Virginia. He held umny imjiortant ]iositions in his ]irofossioual career, being at various times Professor of Ancient Languages at Emory and Henry, Presi- dent of the Vii ' giiiia Pnlyte(d!iiie Instiliite, Professor of Latin in Vanderbill Fuiversity, PresidenI of Kiiiory mid Henry College, President of .Martha Washington College, Slale Snpei ' iiiiend-nl of Pidilie rnstriietion one term. Professor of Latin at Randol]ili- liienn ( ' iillege, and President of the Pniversity of Arkansas. He is one of the tlii-ee surviving members of the original Board, and is at present with his daughter at Sweetwater, Tenn. 17