Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 3.djvu/223

 Rh he went to Europe, and there studied mineralogy and geology at the Royal School of Mines at Freiberg, Saxony, remaining there 1869-70. He was elected professor of chemistry and geology at the University of West Virginia in 1873, and was the incumbent of this office until 1878. He was elected to the chair of natural history and geology at the University of Virginia in 1879, and is still its capable incumbent. He is an author of note in the scientific world, among his publications being: "Resources of West Virginia" 1876, in which he collaborated with Matthew Fontaine Maury; "Report PP. Second Pennsylvania Geologic Survey," 1899; "Bulletin of the Potomac Formation. United States Geologic Survey;" various papers on geologic subjects and on fossil botany, which were published in the "American Journal of Science;" in the "Proceedings of the United States National Museum;" and in the "Annual Reports of the Director of the United States Geologic Survey." In political opinion he has always been a Democrat, and he is a member of the Protestant Episcopal church. He is a fellow of the Geological Society of America, and a member of the Huguenot Society of America.

Lamb, William, born in Norfolk, Virginia, September 7, 1835, son of William Wilson Lamb and Margaret Kerr, his wife. After attending the Norfolk Academy, at the age of fourteen he became a student in the Rappahannock Military Academy. He was an ardent student of history and biography. He prepared for college at the Jones School in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and in 1852 entered William and Mary College, Williamsburg. He had no intention of preparing for a profession, but hearing such orators as ex-President Tyler and Henry A. Wise gave him a new inspiration and at a following session he took up the law course, and in 1855 was graduated with the Bachelor of Law degree. Not having attained his majority he could not be admitted to the bar, and his father purchased for him a half interest in the "Southern Argus," and he was occupied with its editorial control until 1861. He had previously joined the Woodis Rifles, which, with him as captain, went to Harper's Ferry at the time of the John Brown raid in 1859. He now (in April 1861) became a captain in the Sixth Virginia Regiment and in October was made major on the staff of Gen. Joseph R. Anderson, and ordered to Wilmington, North Carolina where he subsequently was placed in command of Fort Fisher and its connecting fortifications. Promoted to colonel of artillery he continued in command and kept up a gallant defense until its capture in 1865. Col. Lamb then returned to Norfolk, and engaged in various stirring enterprises, representing various coasting and trans-atlantic steamship lines and connected with the Norfolk & Western railroad, and doing much of the development of the cotton and coal trade of the city. He served for three terms as mayor, and declined a fourth term. He was several times president of the board of the Military Organization, manager of the Jackson Orphan Asylum, president of the Seaman's Friend Society, a member of