Richard McIlwaine

March 18, 1834 (age 79)

St. Petersburg, Virginia of Scotch Irish descent

He was an 1853 alumnus of the College at the age of 19. He then went on to study at the University of Virginia, where, in 1855, he was a founding brother of Beta Theta Pi. He was licensed by the East Hanover presbytery in 1857. McIlwaine preached in Farmville and Lynchburg until 1872. Around 1882, was secretary of home missions, a position he resigned from after being elected to the presidency of Hampden–Sydney College in 1883. As president, he increased the student body from 74 to 154 by 1892. He also helped to greatly increase the College"s endowment and a memorial building was erected in his honor. In his letter of resignation from presidency of Hampden–Sydney, McIlwaine wrote, Having learned by your discussions of last night that some — perhaps a majority — of your are of the opinion that my usefulness in my present position is at an end, I hereby offer my resignation. I beg at the same time to resign my position as a Trustee in the College, which I have held for thirty-four or five years, and which I did not resign when elected President. Very Respectfully, Richard McIlwaine President and Professor of Moral and Biblical Studies Henry returned to Hampden–Sydney in 1893 to serve as professor of English and history until 1907. In 1907, he was appointed State Librarian for the Virginia State Library, a position he held until his death. McIlwaine died on August 9, 1913.

Richard McIlwaine

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Background

Richard McIlWaine was born in St. Petersburg, Virginia of Scotch Irish descent. His father, Archibald Graham McIlwaine, was a mogul in flaxseed brokerage.

Education

He attended from Hampden–Sydney College alongside his brothers, J. Finley McIlwaine (graduating in 1858 and a trustee from 1866–1870) and Archibald Graham McIlwaine Junior. (graduating in 1865). He also studied at the Union Theological Seminary and the Free Church College of Edinburgh, Scotland.

Career

He was an 1853 alumnus of the College at the age of 19. He then went on to study at the University of Virginia, where, in 1855, he was a founding brother of Beta Theta Pi. He was licensed by the East Hanover presbytery in 1857.

McIlwaine preached in Farmville and Lynchburg until 1872.

Around 1882, was secretary of home missions, a position he resigned from after being elected to the presidency of Hampden–Sydney College in 1883. As president, he increased the student body from 74 to 154 by 1892.

He also helped to greatly increase the College"s endowment and a memorial building was erected in his honor. In his letter of resignation from presidency of Hampden–Sydney, McIlwaine wrote,

Having learned by your discussions of last night that some — perhaps a majority — of your are of the opinion that my usefulness in my present position is at an end, I hereby offer my resignation.

I beg at the same time to resign my position as a Trustee in the College, which I have held for thirty-four or five years, and which I did not resign when elected President.

Very Respectfully,

Richard McIlwaine

President and Professor of

Moral and Biblical Studies

Henry returned to Hampden–Sydney in 1893 to serve as professor of English and history until 1907. In 1907, he was appointed State Librarian for the Virginia State Library, a position he held until his death. McIlwaine died on August 9, 1913.

Membership

In 1902, he became a member of the Commonwealth convention that was called to revise the state constitution, and was also the chairman of the committee on schools.

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