Longwood College - Virginian Yearbook (Farmville, VA)

Page 22 text:

THIS MEMORIAL PAGE IS MOST AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF 5abe3 Xamar nbonroe Curt , H). 5)., %%, H)., Statesman, Diplomat, Edvcator, foi ' nder of the State Normal School, A Christian gentleman. Born June 5, 1825; died February, 1903. — ARELY do we find so many elements of greatness, and sut-h rare excellencies of y cliaracter in one person, as were found in Lr. Curry. For nearly sixty years his public career has been open to the gaze of critics, yet nothing is alleged against his beautiful, varied, and attractive life. It has its lessons which the young of both sexes would do well to heed. ' Til the call came to enter the higher life, his loved work and greatest pleasure was for the young. Towards youth he ever displayed a sympathy and helpful interest, found in few, particularly in the waning years of life. Truly a great man has fallen in our Southern land, and the section which he loved so well and defended with pen and eloquently word so ably! When hi3 labors liegan in educational lines, there were few if any organiz d school eyst ms in the Southern States, and no Normal school. Now there is no state without these and to his eloquence and laborious effort all concede that the credit is due. Dr. Curry was often heard to say that he sought no higher eulogy than to be called father of the State Normal School of Virginia. If others feel derply his loss, how profound is our grief that we shall see his bright and inspiring face no more! Dr. Curry ' s motto was: Education for all. As an author he made valuable contributions to our literature, especially from a constitutional standjioint, defending the South in the peculiar instii ution of slavery and in its right to secede. As a diplomat in the honorable and delicate position as Minister to Spain under Cleveland, he is said to have been entirely persona gratia with that government, and well approved of ours. Time and space would fail u-i to mention even the prominent part he took in Alabama Legislature wheji scarcely of age, of the estimate in which he was held as United States and Confederate Congressman, of his brilliant career as a soldier in two wars, and of his professor- ship and enduring work in Howard University and Richmond College. More than elsewhere does the present writer feel inadequate to the task of conveying to others the beautiful symmetry of character which made Dr. ' Curry loved when known. His exalted Christian life, which politics never tarnished, hi- warm, affection ite nature, his marked humility, and above all, his faith and confiding trust in the (iod and Father of us all, are remembered as a benediction and an inspiration by those who knew something of his inner life. 18