Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-02-06
Death of Professor Campbell

Death of Professor Campbell.
Death has again invaded the circle OF
Virginia learning-this time claiming
one of the best-equipped specialists IN
the State, if not in the United States.
Within about year the friends OF
higher education have been called upon
to mourn the deaths Of Professors
SoUTHALL, VALENTINE. KIRKPAT-
RICK, Brown, and STRIDER. Now
il is the death of Professor JOHN l..
CAMPBELL, A. NJ, LII. d., Robin
son professor Of chemistry and ge-
ology at Washington and Lee Uni
versity, that emphasizes the sad
refrain, 1.-THE dead are many, the
living few Professor CAMP
BELL died at his residence, in
Lexington, Wednesday evening, after a
brief illness, aged sixty-six years.
The deceased was born in Rockbridge
county, and was educated at Washing
ton College, where he graduated with
such distinction as to attract unusual
attention. Shortly after leaving col
lege he engaged in school-teaching, but
in 1851 was called to chair at his
alma mater, succeeding Rev. DR..
GEORGE d. ARMSTRONG. Professor
CAMPBELL, like too many Of our
Virginia professors, hid his light
under tushel as far as the general
public was concerned. Nevertheless,
what he did accomplish has a fixed po-
sitiOn and permanent recognition in the
domain of science. Nothing better
illustrates this than a conversation that
took place between an eminent Virginia
iurist and a leading northern scientist
when the American Institute of Mining
Engineers met at Staunton some years
ago. The northern scientist, being in
vited to come to Rockbridge county and
inspect its great curiosity the Natural
Bridge, quickly replied: "You have a
greater curiosity than that in Lexing-
ton. Imean Professor JOHN L. CAMP
BELL. He is the best constructive
geologist in the United States"
As a teacher Professor CAMPBELL
had no superior. Thorough himself in
everything he did, he was never satisfied
with anything short of thoroughness on
the part of those in his classes. And
this latter result he secured as well by
the enthusiasm his example and love
Of his work inspired as by his power
of clear statement. As an example Of
his conscientious attention to detail it
may be mentioned that when, few
years ago, he was engaged in making
a report upon the mineral resources Of
the James.River Valley be went over
the whole ground--most of it on foot
and with hammer in hand took the
testimony of the rocks. This report,
together with his numerous private let
tiers in answer to queries about the
mineral resources Of the Stats, has
been the means of attracting no small
amount of capital to Virginia.
In private life Professor CAMPBELL
was one Of the most entertaining of men.
experimenting, as he did, constant
study in his especial field with a vast
amount Of reading in the sphere of pO-
lite literature, there was no company
in which he was not perfectly at home
and did not command attention. His
nature was Of the kindest, and he was
ever upon the side of charity in judging
Of his fellow-men. BY the students he
was both beloved and reverenced,
and over them exercised most
wholesome influence. Indeed, his
life was an everyday sermon to
the young--a sermon redolent of
copcientiouS devotion to duty and OF
spo.less character. In early youth
Professor CAMPBELL connected himself
with the Presbyterian Church, in which
two of his brothers, Reys. WILLIAM
A. and SAMUEL CAMPBELL, are minis
tiers, and for years had been an elder in
that Church. lie leaves several sons
and daughters, among the former Rev.
ROBERT CAMPBELL, Of the Presby-
terrain Church; JOHN l.. CAMPBELL,
Jr., and Professor HARRY CAMPBELL.
He led noble, Christian life, Of which
the truest epitome is i: "IIe was faith
ful in all things"