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Virginia Military Institute Archives
VMI ArchivesPreston Library
Lexington, VA 24450
Business Number: 540-464-7516
archives@vmi.edu
URL: http://www.vmi.edu/archives
Administrative Information
Conditions Governing Use
Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information.
Conditions Governing Access
There are no restrictions
Online Access
These documents are available online
Preferred Citation
Records of the Board of Visitors. Francis H. Smith and John T. L. Preston correspondence, 1839.
Biographical / Historical
John T. L. Preston (1811-1890), was one of the founders of the Virginia Military Institute. He served at VMI as a member of the first Board of Visitors (1839) and as a Professor of Modern Languages from 1839-1875. During the Civil War he was on the staff of Gen. Stonewall Jackson.
Biographical / Historical
Major General Francis Henney Smith (b. 1812 d. 1890) was appointed VMI's first Superintendent in 1839. An 1833 graduate of West Point, he had previously served briefly in the U. S. Army and was a Professor of Mathematics at Hampden-Sydney College (VA) when he accepted the position as head of the newly established Virginia Military Institute. He served for fifty years, from the Institute's infancy, through the Civil War, and through the difficult post-war period. He is known as the "builder and rebuilder of VMI." Smith retired on January 1, 1890 and died only a few months later, on March 21, 1890.
Scope and Contents
Correspondence between Francis H. Smith, who became VMI's first Superintendent, and John T. L. Preston relating to the organization and opening of VMI. Includes four letters from Preston to Smith and one letter from Smith to Preston, in which he accepts the job offered by the Board of Visitors to serve as Superintendent (originally called Principal Professor). One related letter is from Francis H. Smith to William Atkinson or Atkison, in which Smith asks for advice about VMI's job offer.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
- Correspondence
- Records (documents)
- Virginia Military Institute. Board of Visitors
- Virginia Military Institute—Board of Visitors
- Virginia Military Institute—History—19th century
Significant Persons Associated With the Collection
- Preston, John T. L. (John Thomas Lewis), 1811-1890
- Smith, Francis H. (Francis Henney), 1812-1890
Container List
Written from Lexington, Virginia. John T.L. Preston inquires about whether Francis H. Smith is interested in having his name submitted to be head of the soon to be opened Virginia Military Institute, and provides information about the vision for the new school.
Written from Hampden-Sydney College, Virginia. In the letter, Francis H. Smith asks for advice about whether to take job at the new Virginia Military Institute.
Written from Lexington, Virginia. In the letter, John T. L. Preston provides details about the proposed organization and operation of VMI.
Written from Lexington, Virginia. John T. L. Preston informs Francis H. Smith that he has been elected Principal Professor of VMI (the title will later be changed to Superintendent). Preston provides information about salary and other details concerning the opening of the school.
Written from Hampden-Sydney College, Virginia. Francis H. Smith accepts the appointment as Principal Professor (Superintendent) at VMI. The letter informs John T. L. Preston that his duties at Hampden-Sidney College will end on September 25, discusses the opening of VMI, salary, and other related issues.
Written from Lexington, Virginia. John T. L. Preston discusses opening of VMI and details regarding Francis H. Smith's move to Lexington, Virginia.