Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-13

noted IN his condition w Wednesday, but late
yesterday afternoon he began sinking and
never rallied. DR.. Curry went to North
Carolina several months ago. hoping that
the change of climate would improve his
shattered health. His home in Washington
was at 1875 NJ street northwest.
Sketch of His Life.
DR.. Curry was the American agent of the
famous Peabody and Slater educational
funds, "a member of the general education
board. which was incorporated by Congress
several months ago with the financial back
ing of New York men Of millions, and was
also member Of the southern educatio
board. which has undertaken the erection
Of the Peabody Normal School for ad-
vanced studies by young women in the
south. He was interested deeply in all edu
cational matters, especially movements for
the benefit of the south.
DR.. Curry was born in Georgia in 1925,
His activity covered a wide field of useful
ness He served in the Mexican war as
private of the Texas Rangers. practiced law
in Alabama and was three times elected to
the legislature of that state. In 1856 he was
one Of the democratic presidential electors
and was sent to Congress for two terms as
a states rights democrat. He resigned
from Congress on January q, 1851 to CO.
operate with the Alabama members OF
Congress In bringing about the secession of
that state. He was representative In the
confederate congress and IN 1915 served
as lieutenant colonel of cavalry in the
confederate army under sGen. j. e. john
ston.
Well Known as an Educator.
At the close OF the civil war DR.. Curry
was elected to the presidency Of Howard
College, Alabama. In 1868 he was made
professor OF English philosophy and con-
stitutional law at Richmond College, Vir-
ginia. He was president Of the foreign mis-
sion board Of the Southern Baptist Church
from 1S74 until 1885. and in 1881 was APP
pointed general agent OF the Peabody fund.
In 1890 he was elected a trustee Of the
John F. Slater fund and appointed chair
man Of the educational comnaittee.
1885 and sought the cooperation of leading
southern men DR.. Curry was among the
first upon whom his choice fell. He was
rendered and accepted the position OF envoy
extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary
to the court OF Spain. and remained abroad
three years. filling the diplomatic post with
credit to himself and his country
Upon his return to this country Secretary
Bayard and President Cleveland wrote him
autograph letters Of the most complimentary
character in reference to his diplomatic ca
reer. In 1890 DR.. Curry was elected trustee
Of the Slater fund, and has written extern
sively on the negro question, discussing
nearly every phase of it. He held that the
granting of the franchise to the negroes
when 1t was done was great error, espe
ciallX harmful to the race 1t was meant to
help. He was warm and powerful adyo-
cate of the education of the negro and of
giving him the fullest civil rights His work
in his later years has been along that and
educational lines.
He was probably more familiar with edu-
cational conditions and needs in the south
than any other man, and this, combined
with his executive ability. made him the
greatest power among southern educators.
When the boy King of Spain Alfonso as
cended the throne last year President
Roosevelt, as a compliment to the minister
who had been a friend Of the queen regent
and Of the infant king, appointed DR.. Curry
special envoy to represent the United
was accorded the highest honors. being
treated as a prince Of the blood.
An Author of Note, " '-s"
As an author DR.. Curry wrote, besides
many magazine articles, Establishment
and Disestablishment in America" Con
stftutional Government in SPAIN and
Gladstone" and several historical works
In 1885 he was appointed minister to Spain.
In 1855 he returned to the United States to.
resume his educational work.
DR.. Currys mission to the coronation of
the young Spanish king has particular in
terest to students Of American history. He
went there to aid in bringing about better
relations between the United States and
Spain.
The funeral will be held Sunday after
noon. Interment will be at Hollywood GEM
etery. Richmond, Va.