The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-01-22
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA.
Linden Kent Memorial school of English
Literature.

| Linden Kent Memorial school OF Engnsh
Literature.
The negotiations begun at the last meeting
| 9th December. 1899 Of the board Of visitors
| Of che University were completed at meet,
| ing held 10Th January, 1893. They resulted
| In the division OF the work Of the present
| school Of English into twc-the English IAN
| guage and Englisb litsTatTe-and the es-
| tablishrneIft of new school to be called
the Linden Kent Memorial School OF Eng
lish Literature" This school IL founded on
q donation of 10000 by Mrs. Linden Kent,
Of Washington. D. c., who wished thus 10
honor the memory OF her late husband and
to perpetuate the good influences Of bis life
! fer all time.
Linden Kent. TO whom this noble and per-
petual memorial has been erected, died 4th
| October. 1892, at his home In Washington,
In the forty-sixth year Of his age. de fnr-
niShes another name on the long list OF VIZ
ginians who justified their inheritance OF
intelligence and their virtuow rearing II
the purity and simplicity OF country life by
a career which reflected distinction and dlg'
nifty upon his native State
Born 26th December, 1916, at Louisa
Courthouse. his life was that Of country
lad and school boy until the needs Of his
country called him TO her aid. At the age
! of sixteen years be entered the Confederate
service, first as private secretary and later
| as adjutant to Colonel r. T. w. Duke.
He served without interruption until the
battle OF Sailors Greek, only three days be-
fore Lees surrender. when he was captured.
sent to Washington, and afterwards 10 John
sons Island. He was In the old Capitol
prison in Washington on the night CT LIN
coins assassination, when the captlves were
barely saved from tho violence Of the mob.
Soon after he was released, and hurrying
home, resumed his studies aud completed
his preparation for the course at the Uni
versity Of Virginia.
In October, 1867 he entered the University
OF Virginia. where he remained three ses-
sions, dividing the time between academical
and law departments, from the latter OF
which he was graduated In June 1870. He
gave duo proportion Of his time also to
the literary exercises Of the Washington
Society. which awarded him its highest
honor--the debater's medai-and 10 the Uni
versity Magazine. Of which, with Harry
G. White now professor Of chemistry in
the University Of Georgia., he was editor
from October TO December 1869, receiving
later the scholarship offered to the best edi-
tor of the magazine. The taste for literary
form. which he here cultivated, was never
obllterated. The judgment OF his fellow
collegians was prophetic OF the verdict Of
paid. on the occasion OF hts death sympa-
thetic tribute TO his quick and broad in-
telligence. his gift OF eloquence, and the
pleasing voice and consummate tact which
won him many cases and many hearts"
Shortly after his graduation young Kent
removed from Louisa 20 Alexandria va,
where he formed a partnership with an old
collegemate for the practice Of law. Hence
grew events which were 10 put TO stern test
the metal Of the man. In few mouths DIS
partner defaulted aRd fed under dishonorng
charges Kent was in a position where he
might easily and legally have protected him
self from the consequences CT this defalca-
ton. He refused to do so. and began his
professional career under the load Of finan-
cial burdens. but with the honor and admit
ration Of all true men. His talents and train
ing were adequate endowment He socn
lifted this load from his shoulders ana
thenceforward advanced steadily In profes.
SIGNAL distinction and professional rewards.
In 1881 he removed to Washington, ID. c.
Three years later he was married to Miss
Leita Montgomery, OF New Orleans La,
whose beauty, grace, charm Of manner and
accomplishments made their home the abode
OF great happiness. as well as recognized
centre Of the social life Of the Capital In
the autumn Of 1892 she accompanied him on
a Journey for pleasure and health 20 Char
lottesville. They wandered together under
the Quaint arcades and among the leafJ
walks of his old university, and as he talked
OF college days and college friends, the glow
Of his revived affection touched her sympa-
thetic heart. And so few weeks later,
when she stood beside his newmade grave
in Oak Hill cemetery, and thought how she
could best signalze her devotion, she turned
away from sculptured marble and polished
nd resolved n memorial In
his college home, which should at once honor
the memory Of the dead and benefit the nv-
ing
The admirable reply OF the Chief Justice
of the Supreme Court Of the District Of
Columbia to the address Of the District At
torney In concentrating Linden kent's
death closes with the following estimate CT
his professional rank: "As a lawyer he was
learned, industrious and able and COM
manded the attention and respect Of the
court and fury. He seemed 70 be instinct
with zeal and energy, yet was always cour-
teous to his adversary. and strictly obser-
want OF the deccrum proper in the presence
OF the court. He was not only well-trained
Intellectually, but evidently had subjected
his passions and impulses 10 the ethical
rules which he had adopted for his guidance.
His death, TO his family an irreparable loss,
leaves In the social and professional circles
q void not easily filed"
The beard OF visitors Of the University Of
virginia, after the establishment Of the chair
and a careful confederation OF the dis
tinguished and hopeful career Of Mr.. Charles
w. Kent NJ. A. Of this University and Phi.
ID. Of Leipzig now professor OF English In
the University Of Tennessee. have appointed
this gentleman as the first Linden Kens
memorial professor Of English literature.