Letter from Monroe to Thayer, June 26, 1827 about a new mathematics professor at the University of Virginia.


Oak Hill   [Virginia]   June 6 1827

Sir

Mr. King the professor of Mathematics in the university of this state, has resigned his office, to take effect in Augt. The visitors will meet, early in the ensuing month, when a successor to him will be appointed. Can you recommend to me, for the consideration of the board, a person, every way qualified, to fill the vacant chair? I have thought it very probable, that such a person might be found, among the Alumni, either of our Academy at West Point, or of the college of some sister state, & in case we should fail, to procure one here, I should take much pleasure, in bringing his pretensions, to the view of the board, at our next meeting. I shall be glad to hear from you as soon as convenient, on this subject. I presume you already know, that the compensation is $1500 per anm, with a fee of 25. from each student, to each professor, & a larger one in certain cases, with the accomodations [sic] also, of a house, for his residence. With great respect & esteem, I am yr. obt. servant.

James Monroe

 


Remarks:

This letter resulted in a letter from Thayer about Courtenay.  Note that UVA had a board of visitors in 1827. Try to figure out how large this salary is; get some comparisons with other things at the time. 


There is a transcript of this letter in The West Point Thayer Papers 1808-1872, edited by Cindy Adams, 1965.

 

Page created November 2000.