Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-02-05
Alexander DImitry.
New Orleans States.

The world Of letters has lest a bril-.
liant luminary in the demise of Pro.
lessor Alexander Dimitry, who died
yesterday in this his native city, at two
o'clock am, : in the seventy. eighth
year Of his age, but in full possession
OF ell bis wonderful mental faculties.
The death of the accomplished gen
tleman was not unexpected. Time
with its aocumulating years, and its
trials and vicissitudes, had of late
years marked him as its victim, but
not until he had passed the age of the
Psalmist did he sueeumb to its inex-
orable summons.
This venerable and distinguished
gentleman, one of the most learned
and renowned of Southern scholars
and publicists, was born in New Or.
leans, February I, 1919. lie was edu-
Gated at the University of Georgetown,
ID. U. Returning to Louisiana after
his graduation, he founded the New
Orleans Bee, being the first Louis
ianian that ever edited a newspaper in
the. English language. In 1889, Mr.
Dimitry was appointed by Presi-
dent Van Buren, under the treaty
with Mexico, Secretary of the
Mixed Board Of Commissioners,
to adjust claims of citizens
Of the United States against Mexico
But he had been engaged in this ser
vice only short time when he was
appointed by the Louisiana Legisla.
ture President of Franklin COLLEGE.
one OF the three institutions endowed
BY the State. In 1915 tho State Of
Louisiana reformed its constitution,
making It compulsory on the Legis.
lature to provide for the support of
public schools by direct taxation
Professor nimitry, wrote the re
port Of the joint committee Of thirteen
appointed by the next Legislature to
organize the new system, which was
adopted, and he was elected by that
body Superintendent of Public Edu.
cation, against Judge Ballard, then
lato Chief Justice. During the occu
pancy OF this position, Professor Dim.
itry was twice nominated for Congress
BY the Democracy, but declined, bo
lieviug that he could better serve the
State as a director for her schools
tp tSsA, he was invited by the
late William l., Marcy, Secretary o.
state, to take charge of the foreigo
correspondence and translation in the
State Department. He accepted, and
remained there to the iuesleulable
value Of the eopltyy until 1858, whep
ne Vas appointed Minister Pienip, }.
.ahtiary OF the United States to Cen.
trsl America to settle the transi,
question with Nicaragua and 10 pro.
cure from Costa Rica . mixed conven
tion to settle the claims Of American
citizens against said State, both Of
which questions he satisfactorily ad.
lusted. He returned to the South
after the war had commenced. and
during its continuance he was Chief
Of the Finance Bureau Of the Don.
tederate PCstofice Department. Pro
tessor Dimitry vas learned in every
branch OF science and ethics. He
was undoubtedly tho best linguist in
the country, aud was thoroughly
conversant with ancieat Greek, Latin
Sanscrit, Gaelic, Anglo Saxon anC
German; less intimately so with
the Hebrew and Persic languages. II,
spoke With auenoy English, French
spanish, Portuguese, Italian and
modern Greek. He was deenly read
in the politics, history and laws Of thu
European States, and was an elegan
classical scholar. His memory Ma,
extraordinary; in short, be was CON
plete walking encyclopedia" Thi
remarkable maa was created LID
| by his Alma Mater, which title wa
also conferred by Jackson College
Louisiana.
The life Of Professor Dimitry, hi
many literary and forensic triumphi
would furnish material for volumes
and doubtless he has LETT manuscript
which, in the hands of his taleute,
CONS aud accomplished writer's, job
aud Charles Dimitry, will make
rich contribution to the world Of lit
erature.
While Principal of College Hi
near Raymond, Hiads county, Miss
Professor Dimitry was at work upo
and about concluding a Dictionary Z
the origin and meaning Of prope
names. He had devoted years Of ltpl
} and research 10 this hook; brough
into requi itiOn his knowledge OF al
ihe Languages, and bestowed that Car