Conditions Governing Use

The materials from Washington and Lee University Special Collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used should be fully credited with the source. Permission for publication of this material, in part or in full, must be secured with the Head of Special Collections.

Preferred Citation

Preferred citation: [Identification of item], John Rodman Correspondence, WLU Coll. 0463, Special Collections and Archives, James G. Leyburn Library, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA

In some cases the citation format may vary. Please contact Special Collections' staff to verify the appropriate format.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Susan Wolford, great-granddaughter of Rodman, in 1980.

Biographical / Historical

John Rodman was from Frankfurt, Kentucky. He was a student at Washington College from 1866 to 1870. He became a physician and practiced medicine in Dallas, Texas. Rodman was the younger brother of Admiral Hugh Rodman.

Scope and Contents

This collection contains four copies of letters written by Rodman while he was a student at Washington College and a transcription of each. They cover various aspects of campus life. All of the letters are addressed to his father. In the letter dated February 7, 1868, John writes about his finances, grades, and skating. In the second letter, February 3, 1868, John writes about receiving the highest score on an exam and about the temptation to neglect his studies for music and social activities. He mentions seeing General Robert E. Lee at the grocery store and his dissatisfaction with school on September 15, 1866. In his letter dated October 20, 1867, John writes to his father about hunting, his boarding situation, and his Spanish course.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• College Students
• College Students -- Family relationships
• College Students -- Social life and customs
• Correspondence
• Washington College (Lexington, Va.)
• Wolford, Susan