Thomas Jefferson and the University of Virginia, with Brief Historical Sketches of the Various Colleges in That State
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5678 a63 7i. LD 5172 3 1924 065 507 737 .a AU5 U. S. BUREAU OF EDUCATION CIRCULAR OF INFORMATION NO. 1, 1888 CONTRIBUTIONS TO AMERICAN EDUCATIONAL HISTORY EDITED BY HERBERT B. ADAMS 3Sro. 3 THOMAS JEFFERSOK THE UNIVERSITY OF VIEGm^IA BY HERBERT B. ADAMS, Ph. D. Associate Professor of History in the Johns Hopkins Uotversity ••;«•;»,, .,1, WITH i ' AUTHORIZED SKETCHES OF HAMPDEN-SIDNEY, RANBOIPH-IACON, EMORY-HENRY, ROANOKE, AND RICHMOND COLIEGES, WASHINGTON AND LEE UNIVERSITY, AND VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE WASHINGTON GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 188S 17036—No. 1 6M*fA/ " The University of Virginia, as a temple dedicated to science and liberty, was, after Ms [^Jefferson's'] retirement from thepolitioal sphere, the object nearest Ms lieart,and so con- tinued to the close of Ms life. His devotion to it was intense, and his exertions unceasing. It hears the stamp of his genius, and will 6e a nohle monument of his fame. Bis general view was to make it a nursery of repuilioan patriots, as well as genuine scholars." (James Madison: Letter concerning Jefferson, Novembers, 1826.) "Our University, the last of my mortal cares, and the last service I can render my coun- try." (Jefferson to Joseph C. Cabell.) "Our views are catholic for the improvement of our country hy science." (Jefferson to George Ticknor.) "No man of the time threw so much solid matter into his compositions as Mr. Jefferson." ( Jared Sparks.) "No cause deserves more generous support than that of,higher education in the Southern States." (George William Curtis.) "Any one who will visit the Southern colleges and schools will find in them a generation of stu^dents, alert, vigorous, manly, and tremendously in earnests It is evident that a race of exceptional moral earnestness and mental vigor is now growing up in the South, and that it is sure to be heardfrom." (The Century Magazine : Topics of the Time.) "The University is the natural ornament and the bright consummate flower of democ- racy." (Senator George F. Hoar: Address at the laying of the corner-stone of Clark University, Worcester, Mass., October 22, 1887.) Tlie University "is an institution iiihieh better than anything else symbolizes the aim and tendencies of modern life." (Bishop Spalding, at the founding of the Catholic Univer- sity, Washington, D. C, May 24, 1888.) 2 —— \ - . i-<JU^ CONTENTS. Pagi Letter of the Commissioker op Education to the Secretaut op the Intbbior 9 Introduction 15 Jeffeison's Alma Mater 15 History of William and Mary College continned 16 Jefferson's original drawings for the University of Virginia 16 AroMteotural types ....i 17 The historic baokgi'ound ' 19 Chapter I. The United States Academy at Bichmond 21 Survival of French influence 21 Chevalier Quesnay's project 22 List of sahscribers in Virginia 22 Letter to Franklin 24 The Academy founded 25 Distingaished associates 26 Thomas Jefferson, American ministei to Paris 27 French culture in America 27 FaUnre of Quesnay's scheme 28 Fate of the Bichmond Academy 29 Chapter II. Jefferson on Locax Government and Common Schools.. 31 Popular education and self-government 31 Idea of historical reading in common schools 32 Latin grammar schools , 32 Connection of popular and higher education 33 Higher education the source of common schools 34 Failure of common-school law in 1796 35 Idea of local division of counties 35 First appropriation for schools, 1818 37 Jefferson on township government 33 Townships impracticable in rural Virginia 39 "The old order changeth'' 39 Chapter III.—Wiixiam and Mart College—European Influences .. 41 Scholastic curriculum 41 Jefferson's proposed changes 41 Introduction of modern studies 42 Bochefoucauld on WiUiam and Mary College 43 Jefferson's interest in higher education 44 The faculty of Geneva 45 Dr. Joseph Priestley 46 Jefferson and Priestley -.. 4g Dupont de Nemours on national education 49 Character of the treatise • , 50 Professor Minor on Dupont de Nemours „ 51 3 —— 4 CONTENTS, Faqb Chapter III.—William and Mart College—Continiwd. Professor Piotet of Geneva ^^ Joseph Carrington Cabell's European training ^^ Jefferson and CabeU ^^ Chapter IV. Albemarle Academy and Central College 55 Jefferson's new project -- 55 Dr. Thomas Cooper - 56 Jefferson's correspondence with Cooper 59 Letter to Peter Carr 61 General view of education 62 Classification of the sciences. 63 Professional schools 63 Technical education — ........ 64 Jefferson's iappeal to Cabell in the Legislature » 64 The literary fund 66 Central College 68 Idea of an academical village 68 Jefferson to John Adams on Central College 70 Chapter V. Transition from the College to thh University 72 Two lines of policy 72 Jefferson's letter to Governor Nicholas 72 Circular letter from Governor Nicholas 74 Dr. Cooper on university education 74 Views of President Dwight, of Yale College 76 Eeport of Governor Nicholas 78 Idea of establishing fellowships, 1816 79 Mercer's bill for the University of Virginia, 1817 79 Academical districts 80 Plan for new colleges 80 Idea of a university 81 Jefferson's bill, 1817-18 8i Proposition for a central university 83 Public education 83 First appropriation from the literary fund, 1818 84 Chapter VI.—The University Commission and Jefi'erson's Report.. 86 Meeting of the commissioners at Bockfish Gap 86 Proceedings of commissioners.., 87 Jefferson on the objects of primary education 88 Objects of higher education 89 Belation of the State to science gg Kelation of education to morals audreligioa..... ... ...... go Jefferson on the languages modem and Anglo-Saxon .. ... 92 Bodily exercise and manual training 93 Jefferson on student self-government 94 Summary of Jefferson's report 95 Chapter VII.—Establishment and Building of the University 96 Opposition to the University idea "' 96 Services of * CabeU 97 Services of other men ' m Summary of Jefferson's bill, 1819 !!!!!!!!"'" 99 Jefferson the first rector go Building policy * „„ Architectural characteristics of the University " iqq Pavilions completed .„. Cost of the pavilions , .„„ — : CONTENTS, 5 ' Pagi Chapter VII.—Establishment and Buudesig of Univeksitt—Cont'd. Jefferson's financial policy , 102 The University freed from debt 103 Chapter VIII.—The First Professors 106 Dr. Knox, of Baltimore 106 Dr. Thomas Cooper '. 106 Opposition to Dr. Cooper 107 Jefferson on the loss of Cooper 108 Dr. Cooper goes to South Carolina 109 Jefferson on the qualifications of professors 109 European professors for the University of Virginia 110 Jefferson's letter to Richard Eush Ill Letter to Maj. John Cartwright 113 German and English professors :. 114 George Long 116 Thomas Hewett Key and Charles Bonnyoastle .., 117 Eobley Dnnglison 118 American professors 119 George Tucker and John Tayloe Lomax 119 John P. Emmet '. 120 The University opened to students 120 Jefferson's connection with the Jardin des Plantei 121 Chapter IX. ^The University of Virginia and Harvard College... 122 George Ticknor visits Jefferson, 1815 122 Correspondence with Ticknor 122 Ticknor visits the University of Virginia 124 Tioknor's efforts for reform in Harvard College 124 The new code of 1825 125 Tioknor's resignation '. 126 Origin of Tioknor's educational ideals 126 Analysis of Jefferson's views : 127 Analysis of Tioknor's reforms 127 The question stated 128 Madison's letter to Ticknor 129 Josiah Qaincy and the University of Virginia 129 Francis Wayland and the University of Virginia 130 Edward Everett's review of Jefferson's university project 131 Jefferson's comment on the review 134 Chapter X.—Jefferson's School of Law, Politics, and History 135 Patriotic motives of Jefferson 135 Jefferson's influence upon political education 136 Political text-books for the University of Virginia • 137 Political orthodoxy 138 Jefferson on the study of history 140 Political economy ' 142 Conclusion.—The holy cause of the University 143 The Father of the University of Virginia ; 145 Chapter XI. Influence of the University upon Southern Life and Thought. By William P. Trent, A.M., University op Virginia.. 150 Introductory remarks , 150 I. Analysis of the workings of the University List of causes of the University's influence 151 Striving after better results 152 .' Evolution of degrees , 153 Substitution of elective for curricular systeni 156 ——— o CONTENTS. Chapteb XL Influence of the Univbksity, etc. —Continued. I. Analysis of the workings of the University—Continued. ^^^ Honor system of discipline : Balance held between the sects and parties --- 1^'' High qnalifications of the professors 158 George Tucker 158 John Tayloe Lomax 159 George Long 159 George Blaettermann 160 Thomas Hewett Key 161 Charles Bonnycastle ' 161 Dr. Eobley Dunglison — 16^ Dr. John P. Emmet 162 Dr. Gessner Harrison 163 Unique position of the ' University in the South , 165 n. Statistics: Tables 166 Explanatory remarks on the tables 168 Additional facts of interest 170 Alumni in the War.... 170 Clergy and teachers 171 Alumni in politics 172 General conclnsions.... 173 The University and Southern literature 174 Concluding remarks 175 Chapter XH.—Present Organization akd Condition of the Univer- sity. By Professor John B. Minor 176 Organization _ 17g Schools of instruction 177 Scholarships..... IgO Duration of session and vacation jgi Local arrangement and equipment of the University 181 Gifts made to the University ..1 jgg Permanent and fixed endowments ; 187 Annual income of the University 107 Chapter XIIL—The Elective System of the University of Virginia. By Professor J. M. Garnktt 189 Chapter XIV.—A Bibliography of the History of the University of ViKGiNiA. By THE Editor 203 Chapter XV.—The Writings of the Faculty of the University, 1825- . 1827. By William P. Trent 218 Chapter XVI.—Hampden-Sidney College. By C. E. McIlwainb 227 Chapter XVII.— Eandolph-Macon College. By Authority 240 Chapter XVIH. Emory and Henry College. By Authority 253 Chapter XIX. Roanoke College. " By the Editor 264 Chapter XX.—Richmond College. By Professor H. H. Harris" Chairman OF the Faculty ' „-,. Chapter XXI.—Virginia Military Institute 287 Chapter XXIL—Washington and Lbb University.