University of Virginia - Corks and Curls Yearbook (Charlottesville, VA)

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1905 CORKS AND CURLS 9 James Morris Page, A. M., Ph. D. tLeipzigi HE School of Mathematics in the University Of Virginia, shares with the school of Moral Philosophy an enviable distinction. Of all the schools in Jeffersonis original scheme of instruction these alone remain undismembered and undivided. It has been happy also in the men who have presided over its fortunes. Thomas Hewett Key and Charles Bonnyrcastle, members of Jeffersonis hrst faculty of English professors, conducted the work until I840. The chair was next hlled by another Englishman, the illustrious Sylvester, the greatest geometer who ever came to the shores of America. From Sylvester it passed to a matchless teacher, Edward H. Courtenay. From Courtenay it descended to Bledsoe, and upon Bledsoeis withdrawal in 1866 the Visitors appointed as professor Colonel Charles Scott Venable. It is not too much to say that the school of mathematics under Venableis inspiration grew into a new life. He was a geometer of wide reading and sound learning, a man of noble character and exalted patriotism, a teacher endowed with rare powers of stimulus and guidance, a friend and helper to every student in his classroom. He at once introduced into his curriculum the best of the Cambridge text-books, then and now unequalled as guides to mathematical in- struction. He fostered original work among his pupils, rather than exercises of diligence and memory, establishing a mathematical medal, and freely granting extra credits for the independent solution of original problems. One of the best tests of a teacher's work is found in the men who have so learned to love his science as to devote to it the energies of their lives. Here is such a list from among Yenahleis graduatesea list written down at random and from memoryabut even thus an infallible touchstone, by whichto try his true merit as. a teacher and a' man; Barton, Bohannon, Echols, Gore, Graves, Miller, Randolph, Richards, Schmitt, Taylor, Thornton, Vawter. These and many others went from Venableis classroom to carry on his methods of instruction in our colleges and universities. In 1896, after thirty years of arduous service, Venable resigned his chair. The Visitors were deeply impressed with the importance of conserving the high standard he had set up and maintained, and of fostering original research as the crowning glory of true university work. They resolved therefore to appoint two professors of mathematics in the place of one. William Holding Echols was