The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1909-06-18
A STARTLING SHOCK
WAS SUDDEN DEATH
OF GREAT EDUCATOR
CHANCELLOR VIRGINS PASSES
OVER THE RIVER INTO
GREAT BEYOND.
DEMISE DUE TO HEART DISEASE
Had Been Ailirg For Some Weeks
But Had Hot Ceased TO Perform
TIE Duties Ct His Offies-Some-
thing Of his Career.


tamin Lawton Virgins. sice-chancel-
.lor Of the University OF the South and
.one Of the most prominent educators
lin the country. died very suddenly at
his home here at . o'clock Monday
afternoon. His death was shock to
the members of his family and his
associates in the university for, al
though he had been complaining for
some time. it was quite unexpected.
II was due TO heart disease from
which he had been a sufferer for many
wears. and was superinduced by the
strain and wCTy entailed by his
generous duties as vice chancellor He
exercised personal supervision over
Iau Of the important affairs Of the
institution and therefore led a very
strenuous life. His ailment was so
aggravated during the last month OF
his life that he was confined to his
home but continued to give his atten-
ton to the affairs of the institution,
and despite his condition he continued
70 be an interchangeable worker. He
was subject to acute attacks and sur
fered one OF these about 9 O'Clock
sunday night while conversing with
,art! of his associates. but he was
resting quietly and it was not thought
that he was in any immediate danger,
The suddenness of his death rendered
the shock oecasioned by it especially
severe.
The death of yice-Chancellor Wig
gins creates vacancy in the uni
sarsity which it Will be difficult to
/ -ll and the cause Of southern educa-
/ ion suffers distinct loss. His edu,
cational career was a brilliant one and
Els reputation was not confined TO the
south. He was not merely a student
eff boaks. but also Of men and affairs,
| his interest being very broad He de
|
voted much study to conditions pre-
vailina in the south taking a deep in
terest in public affairs. and he had the
distinction Of being one of President
/ gooseyelt's principal advisers in re-
gard TO southern questions being fire.
ouentle consulted b. the president.
BENJAMIN Lawtbn Virgins was born
al sand Ridge, S, G.. September IL,
lS6l. tie son Of James W and Eliza
oth Bower lellard) Virgins. His
sther was planter of English de-
scent. Benjamin was educated at Por-
rar Military Academy Charleston, s.
C.. and az the University Of the
/ south. where he graduated ii 1850.
lie received from the latter institu-
/ lion the degree of NJ. A. in 1882, and
aecame by courtesy, a fellow Of Johns
Horkins University in 1888 He held
hi chair of first assistant to the chair
Of ancient languages in the University
IF the South in 1SS0-S1, and then was
made professor of ancient languages.
He became vice-chancellor of the uni
versity in 1898 succeeding Bishop
Thomas F. Gailor, the present chan
cellor of the university,
Prof. Virgins specialized at Johns
Hopkins University under Prof. Gid
ersleeve in Greek language and lit
erature. gaining distinction by his
proficiency in these studies.
Approaching his scholarly attain
ments Trinity College conferred on
him the degree Of Ii. D., in 1893;
St. Johns College took similar action
in 1902, and the University of South
Carolina in 1905.
Prof. Virgins was thirty-second
degree Scottish Rite Mason and took
len active interest III the order. in
which he was very prominent being
highly regarded for his familiarity
with the ritual of the order and his
observance Of its rules. He was also
prominent churchman, taking deep
Interest in ecclesiastical affairs. For
ffteen years he Was registrar Of the
Episcopal diocese Of Tennessee and
daring that long period represented
the diocese in the general Episcopal
convention
Ill was a member of many learned
Islccties, including the American
Philolosical srciety. IN which he was
csc. call. mcninent. He was re-
corded as one Of the ablest students
lor ancient Cheek in this country. be
/ ing considered an authority on this
subject
In 1886 Prof Virgins married Miss
clara Quintard, a daughter of the late
Bishop Quintard He is survived by
his wife and three children, two
! lo,,cbtere Miss Catherine and Miss