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

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was his first assistant. The school was continued for eight years with admirable educational results and a fair degree of monetary prosperity. At the end of this time the young principal was called to Johns Hopkins as Fellow in Mathe- matics t 1895961, and the next year he was appointed Adjunct Professor of Mathematics in the University of Virginia. In 1896, also, he published a modest volume on Ordlnary Differential Equations, the fruit of Lies impulse and this post he still holds. The period from 1896 to 1904 was a difhcult period in the history of the University of Virginia. The destructive fire of 1895. had brought upon the the new the Visitors turned to Page. He was young, familiar with sound University traditions, somewhat experienced in business affairs, a successful disciplinarian for his own school, a successful professor, calm, sagacious, robust, laborious, sound in wind and limb. They made him Chairman of the Faculty for 1903-1904, and he justified their choice. Untouched by the ardour's and

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6 antks anti Qtutls 1917 him, iiSet not lightly by my gift, but esteem those fatherly instructions above earthly riches? The Record shows, moreover, that Colonel John had not only a generous heart but a business eye. He redeemed his nephew Matthew from slavery in Algiers about 1683, paying out for him one hundred and thirty pounds sterling; but he took a mortgage for the money on his nephew,s farm. The Colonehs will leaves the farm to his wife and son Francis; but provides that Matthew may still redeem it on repayment of the loan. A rather charm- ing picture, painted by Sir Peter Lely in 1660, preserves for us the lineaments of Colonel John Page; a refined face, almost womanly as it looks out at you from the clustering locks which fall abundantly over the shoulders; the mouth small, the nose long and nearly straight, the eyes direct and clear. A dark robe hides the rest of the apparel, so that the gay attire of the day nowhere appears. Clearly our Colonel was no fop. James Morris Page, Dean of the University of Virginia, is seventh in descent from the emigrant, Colonel John Page, of Bruton Parish. The roll of his progenitors shows men always active in the service of Colony and Com- monwealth. On the Spindle side also we find famous old Virginian namese- Mary Mann, Judith Carter, Jane Byrd, Mary Cary, Frances Walker, N ancy Morris. The Hrst Page to reside in Albemarle County was Dr. Mann Page, who wedded Frances Walker, daughter of Dr. Thomas Walker, of Castle Hill. This noble estate of 11,000 acres came to Dr. Walker through his marriage to Mildred Thornton Meriwether, first cousin once removed of George Washington. Upon his daughtefs marriage to Dr. Page her father cut off from the Castle Hill estate a farm of 3,700 acres, and gave it to the young couple for a home. This place, called Keswick, remains to-day the ancestral home of the Pages in Albemarle. Dean Page, the second child and eldest son of Thomas Walker Page, was born March 4th, 1864. He entered Randolph-Macon College and was graduated M. A. in 1885. His contact there With the ardent young Professor Bascom Smithey confirmed his taste for mathematical studies and determined him to devote himself to geometry. Germany then drew the eyes of all ambi- tious young scholars, and Page sought there the opportunities he craved. The illustrious Sophus Lie, who in 1886 succeeded the no less famous Felix Klein in the University of Leipzig, was then the greatest and most original genius of the mathematical world, and Page sat at his feet. In 1887 he received his Ph. D. from Leipzig with mathematics ashis major subject, and was forthwith recalled to Virginia by news of his fathefs illness. The death of his father in 1887 brought upon our young geometer sober- ing responsibilities. He was now the head of the family and upon him fell the

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8 f Cloths anu QEurIs- 1917 the United States, and now he is just the president of a State University? Perhaps the youth was right in his estimate of the true values of life. N 0 one who has been closely associated with Dean Page either as colleague or pupil, as friend or companion, could fail to apprehend certain outstanding features of a wonderfully direct and powerful personality. There is a maudlin sort of counterfeit democracy, which is ashamed to admit the existence of gen- tility as a moral asset. A man like Page is a living demonstration of the futility of such qualms. With a manner utterly simple and unpretending, an address free alike from hauteur and condescension, a modesty which ignores social differences and official distinctions; he yet leaves even upon strangers the im- pression, which only gentle nurture and assured social rank are able to produce. He forgets the long line of gentlemen and gentlewomen which stands behind him; but somehow you cannot forget; you see their dim forms and in his voice you hear their distant voices. The clairvoyance of youth is powerfully im- pressed by just this quality in one. who is also every inch a man. No small part of Pages power as an officer of government lies in this inherited social atmosphere, this potential social energy. Next in importance I incline to put a certain serenity of temper. The apostle ranks charity chief of Christian graces, because charity iiis not easily provoked. In an official, charged from clay to day with delicate and difficult duties, handling conditions which are too often exasperating or impossible, this element of power is priceless. More than once I have wondered at a patience and calmness that seemed ready to endure all things; and more than once I have rejoiced to see victory won by this temperance and self-control. In his dealings with young men Dean Page adds to serenity and courtesy the blessed ability to see a joke and enjoy a laugh. A few years ago a new society was organized embracing some of the most airy and irrepressible spirits in College. They called themselves the IMPis and there were wild rumors of what these supposed imps planned to do. The Dean invited them to his office and they promptly appeared. He explained to them the apprehensions of the College authorities. iiTell us, Dr. Page, said their spokesman, iljust what objections are made to our Society? Quoth the Dean, iiYour name alone would cona demn you. iiDr. Page? he replied with profound gravity, iil am astonished at you. That name was selected to do honor to you. The letters, Sir, are your initials. A spontaneous burst of universal laughter at this ingenious parry cleared the air of the ofhce. N 0 one ever heard that the I MPS gave any trouble after that day. l have passed over other qualitiesesagacity, courage, honesty, directnesse