Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 2.djvu/268

 PROMIXENT PERSONS

217

Saunders, Robert, born in Williamsburg, Virginia, January 25, 1805, son of Robert Saunders, entered the University of Vir-* ginia in its first year, and took the law course of lectures. In 1833 he was made professor of mathematics in William and Mary College, Williamsburg, and continued as such after his appointment as president pro tcuL in 1847. Dissensions arose in the faculty, and all resigned in 1848. Mr. Saun- ders then traveled in Europe, and was a guest of Lafayette. For a long time he was at the head of the Eastern Lunatic Asylum, and just before the civil war was president of the York River railroad. Throughout his life, until disfranchised in reconstruction times, he was a member of the legislature; mayor, magistrate and councilman of Wil- liamsburg, and a vestryman of Bruton par- ish. In- the civil war he was offered the colonelcy of a regiment, but feeling himself unfitted for field service, took a position in the Confederate quartermasters depart- ment, where he proved himself an efficient officer. He married Lucy, a daughter of Governor John Page. He died September II. 1868.

HoUaday, Albert Lewis, born in Spotsyl- vania county, Virginia, April 16, 1805. He was educated at the University of Virginia, and taught for a time there and in Rich- mond. He then took the presidency of Hampden-Sidney College, relinquishing it in 1833, when he took up the study of the- ology. For eleven years he was a mission- ary in Persia, and achieved eminence as a scholar in Oriental literature; among his works was a Syriac grammar. Returning home, he became pastor at Charlottesville, Virginia. He was in ill health, when he

was informed of his election (the second) to the presidency of Hampden-Sidney Col- lege, and was never well again, and did not reach the place. lie died a month later, October 18, 1856.

Burk, John D., born in Ireland, died near Campbell's Bridge, Virginia, April 11, 1808. He was expelled from Trinity College, Dub- Im, for writing and printing deistical and re- publican sentiments, also became obnoxious to the government, and came to America in 1796. In Boston he edited the *'Polar Star,'* v/hich did not long exist. Coming to New ^'ork. he edited a paper and was arrested for perpetrating a libel under the alien and sedition law. He removed to Petersburg, V'irginia. where he gave himself to the law and literature. He wrote "History of Virginia from its first settlement to 1740," (3 vols.), printed in Petersburg, 1804. He engaged in a political dispute with Felix Coquebert, which resulted in a duel, in which he met his death.

Dew, Thomas R., was born in King and Queen county, December 5, 1802, son of Thomas R. Dew and Lucy Gatewood. his wife. His father served a short time in the war of 181 2. Thomas R. Dew, the son, graduated from William and Mary College in 1820. after which he traveled two years in Europe. On October 16, 1826, he was elected professor of history and political law in William and Mary College. The chair of history, which was established under Rev. Robert Keith, was developed by Mr. Dew into one of first importance. At that time history and political science were scarcely known among the studies of American colleges. In 1836 Mr. Dew be-

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