The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-11-05
THE FUNERAL.
SKETCH or LIS LEE.

GEORGE Frederick Holmes was born a lit
tie more than seventy-sevcn years ago In
Demarara, South America, where his par
onts. both natives Of England. were then
living temporarily. Shortly after his birth
ms rather and mother returned 10 Eng
land. where their son received every edu-
cational advantage. graduating from
Durham College before he attained the
age OF eighteen years.
Al school and college Professor Holmes
always took the lead. and showed that
capacity Tor absorbing and retaining in
formation which as the years rolled along
converted his mind into a repository for
the most precious and beautiful gems OF
knowledge.
Wnen eighteen years OF age Professor
Holmes came TO America. and located in
virginia, where he taught school for
year.
re then removed to South Carolina.
wnere he also conducted a school, devot-
ing his nights and spare time 10 the
study Of law.
GRADUATED IN LAW
with the determination for which ne
was distinguished. and aided by his great
capacity for acquiring knowledge Profes.
sor Holmes mastered with comparative
ease the branches Of knowledge necessary
10 a lawyer. and i'm 1872, four years after
ms arrival i'm America. he was admitted
TO practice at the bar Of South carolina
FOR nearly three years the young man
pursued this profession In the Palmetto
state and IL was during that time that
he was added to the editorial stan OF the
southern quarterly Review i'm which
the articles from his pen attracted general
attention.
Professor Holmes. however, was born
to ha an instructor. and after three years
spent i'm practcing law IN South caro-
lima I'm 1875 he accepted proiessorshlp
Inn Richrnond College. where for two years
no labored faithfully for the advancement
Of that institution.
Not much is known Of the hfe OF fro-
fessor Holmes I'm this city thoush 'nri'
are those vet living here who remember
well the tan. slender form and noble in
tellectual face II the young Englishman
After remaining az Richmond College
for one wear the great learning and abD-
itv of Professor Holmes was recoshizeo
and he received q call 10 the University
~ Nfississippi. which he accepted. re-
moving TO that place I'm the beginning OF
the year lSiS.
Here he remained only one year. being
forced 10 abandon his position on ac-
count of the climate, which seriously
affected his health.
a IL. ]
Then IL was. in 1871 that Professor
Holmes was called to the University oil
virginia and began a term OF service
there which lasted four decades and dur
ing which literary work was performed
that placed the name Of George Frederick
Holmes in the front rank Of the men OF
letters.
For years Professor Holmes held the
chair Of Literature and History, but later
on Political Economy was substituted for
Literature. Recently the chair was d.
vided. Professor Heath Dabney being ap-
pointed associate to Professor Holmes.
I'm his early manhood Professor Holmes
was married To Miss Lairlette Floyd. sec
ond daughter Of Governor John Floyd and
sister Of Governor John h. Floyd. This
union was blessed with eight children,
only four OF whom now survive. Ihey
are Mrs Isabel PerkinsOn. wife Of Pro-
fessor Howard Perkinson. Of the Univer-
sty of Virginia: Mr.. Fred Holmes and
Misses Lettia and Mary Holmes OF
Tazewell county
Faithfully and cOnscientiously has Pro-
fessor Holmes j!abored for forty long
years at the University of Virginia. and
the rich fruits of his work have every
year become apparent. His fame as
scholar and author has spread abroad,
and but few years ago Durham College.
his Alma Mater conferred upon him the
degree Of ID. g. l..
Although widely known from his essays
on political economy and other subjects,
Professor Holmes name is more familiar
to almost every locality in the South
through the textbooks Of which he was
the author Holmes readers spoilers
and grammars. have been studied by al
most every child in Virginia.
Devotion TO DUTY.
In point OF service, Professor Holmes
was second TO The Oldest in the faculty.
His devotion 10 duty was his distinguish
ing Characteristic which was shown In
great ways as in small. In attending his
classes he was always punctual TO the
minute. and during forty years is said 20
have been absent from only five lee
lures.
Professor Holmes was greatly beloved
by his classes for he was always con-
siderate and courteous, and staunch
friend to the students. being always Will
ing 10 help them in any way possible.
Professor Holmes was blessed with rare
charm OF manner and a voice OF rare
sweetness OF tone. which rendered his
Lectures always pleasant 10 his classes.
All LAST year, although the hand OF
Time was pressing heavily upon his form,
! ana his eyesght was becoming DINNER
each day, Professor Holmes regularly at
fenced his classes and lectured each day
with the same punctuality as In the days
OF hi. vigorous manhood.
At the beginning OF the present year
hoy ever. the faculty recognized that the
tin -Ucrn educaIor must rest from his
| lsbors. lie was therefore. retired from
| active service and his work was taken up
| by Professor Heath Dabney, his coadju-
tor.
With the death OF Professor Holmes.