John Mayo Pleasants Atkinson (January 10, 1817 – August 28, 1883) was the tenth President of Hampden–Sydney College from 1857 to 1883. He was the first alumnus of the college to be named its president and is the longest tenured president to date (26 years).

Biography

Early life

John M. P. Atkinson was born on January 10, 1817, at the

Mansfield Plantation Mansfield Plantation is a well-preserved antebellum rice plantation, established in 1718 on the banks of the Black River in historic Georgetown County, South Carolina. History Spanning nearly of pine forest, rice fields and cypress swamps, M ...

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. His father was Robert Atkinson and his mother, Mary Tabb (Mayo) Atkinson. He was educated at Hampden–Sydney College, from which he graduated in June 1835. He studied for the Presbyterian ministry for three years at

Union Presbyterian Seminary Union Presbyterian Seminary is a Presbyterian seminary in Richmond, Virginia, and Charlotte, North Carolina, offering graduate theological education in multiple modalities: in-person, hybrid, and online. History As a result of efforts underta ...

and for two years at

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Career

Presbyterian ministry

Over the next sixteen years, Atkinson served ministerial duties — including two in Texas, seven in

Warrenton, Virginia Warrenton is a town in Fauquier County, Virginia, United States. It is the county seat. The population was 10,057 as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, an increase from 9,611 at the 2010 United States Census, 2010 census and 6,670 at ...

, and seven in Georgetown,

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President of Hampden–Sydney College

In 1857, Atkinson was elected as the tenth president of Hampden–Sydney College. Dr. Atkinson is credited with managing to keep the college solvent while upholding disciplinary and academic standards. He was also tasked with the difficulties of reestablishing the college after the war. Beginning with four professors and one tutor, he brought the student roll from thirty-eight in 1865 to ninety-two in 1873. He was the first president to resign from his post as president of the college. At the December 1863 convention, Atkinson was elected as the first president of the Educational Association of Virginia (now Virginia Education Association).

"The Hampden–Sydney Boys"

In 1861, near the beginning of the

American Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861May 26, 1865; also known by Names of the American Civil War, other names) was a civil war in the United States between the Union (American Civil War), Union ("the North") and the Confederate States of A ...

, Atkinson established the "Hampden–Sydney Boys" and served as their captain, Company G, 20th Virginia Regiment. The troop was assigned to Col. John Pegram's Brigade, Gen. Robert Garnett's command and fought in early battles including both Big Bethel and Rich Mountain. At the battle of Rich Mountain, July 11, 1861, the Hampden–Sydney Boys were captured. After a nearly two-hour fight, the Union forces split the Confederate forces and the latter retreated from Lauren Hill, resulting in the capture of Col. John Pegram's command. The Hampden–Sydney Boys were paroled with the direction not take up arms again and that they return to their studies.

Personal life

He married (first) Elizabeth, daughter of Rev. Peyton Hawke; (second) Mary B. Baldwin; (third) Fanny, daughter of Hon. Alexander H. H. Stuart.

Death

He died on August 28, 1883.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Atkinson, John Mayo Pleasants 1817 births 1883 deaths People from Dinwiddie County, Virginia Presidents of Hampden–Sydney College Union Presbyterian Seminary alumni Hampden–Sydney College alumni American Presbyterians American Christian theologians