University of Mississippi - Ole Miss Yearbook (Oxford, MS)

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' WL. C. Lamar, Professor .255 LAMAR'S, connection with the University of Mississippi began in I85O. At that time he was a practic- ing attorney in the town of Oxford, and in july of that year he was elected as Adjunct Professor of Math- ematics. He held this position for two years, resigning in 1852, and returned to Georgia. Later he came back to Mississippi, resumed the practice of his profession, and in 186o he was a member' of Congress from the First District. Tiring of public life and the fruitless efforts of Southern Democrats to avert the inevitable conflict, when in June, 1860, he was offered the chair of Ethics and Metaphysics in the University, he accepted it and took up its duties on thevopening of the session of 1860-61. In May, 1861, having been elected Lieutenant-Colonel of the Nineteenth Mississippi Regiment, he resigned his professorsliip for army life in Virginia. In june, 1866, Colonel Lamar was again elected to the chair of Ethics and Metaphysics. He accepted. Owing to the scarcity of funds and the dearth of instructors, he did more than double duty, conducting classes in Psychology, Logic, and in Law. In janu- ary, 1867, he was relieved of his work in the College Department and was placed at the head of the Law School. In this school he served until june, 1870, when, owing to the condition of State affairs, he voluntarily resigned. This severed his final connection with the University. Of him ex-Chancellor Mayes has said: There was but one voice from those who came in contact with him, in regard to Professor Lamar's efficiency. He was an enthusiast in his calling, whatever that might be 3 and that enthusiasm he carried into his professional work. As a member of the Faculty he was always wise and prompt in counsel, temperate and considerate, although ETH! where occasion arose, To his pupils he was always accessible and kind, companionable, inspiring them all with commingled sentiments of profound respect and personal regard. He was devoted to their interests. He felt that, for the time, he was the representative of the true principles of the science which he taught, and that he was indi- vidually responsible for the results of his teaching. He possessed in a wonderful degree the faculty of infusing his own spirit into all who sat under his instruction. It was his lot to fill three of the least attractive chairs in the Uni- versity-Mathematics, Metaphysics, and Law. Yet to each of them he gave a charm in the eyes of his pupils, alike 7

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unusual and beneficial. Many of those pupils treasured up his instructions, and bore away with them rich fruits of their association with him g and, in the professional eminence which they attained, proved themselves successful chan- nels for the communication of the same benefits to others. During the seven years he was connected with the University his influence upon the youth of the State was wide and lasting. Of this, speaking for himself, Bishop Galloway has written: He was the Gamaliel at whose feet I sat and from whose lips I received instruction. The thrill of that flashing eye, the tone of that magic voice, the strange magnetism of that magnificent presence, filling as it did the broad heaven of our imaginations and the loftiest ideal of my young ambition, have lingered and inspired me for more than half a jubilee of years. Hon. C. E. Hooker, in a memorial address, spoke these words: The love and affection which he aroused in the hearts of young men was wonderful. I know of no criticism to which a professor can be subjected more to be dreaded than that of young men assembled from all portions of the State in the classes of a university. You will not find a graduate of that institution who was educated there during the period that Mr. Lamar acted as professor that does not feel for him and has not borne for him in all the changing stages of life that perfect affection and profound admiration that he inspired in the hearts of all young men who came in contact with him. ..:1,.11,zzzizzzzziiuiizi: N KX 11 5251 35 Cs.. 1: ' ' '41 ff X N A 'I - ' Irs- V .s?12f e 'z fi it i l 'Ret ' N.. f :- H - - 4 -I-? 'w'li ,. llillill 1 ,,-fl gif-If-fra 1 h e g:?ii 553. l is .di 8