Jefferson's Dream

Podcast: The Thomas Jefferson Hour

Suggested online course (free!) at coursera from UVA - The Age of Jefferson

Episode number 118 Jefferson’s Dream

This episode of Celebrate Poe begins with a portion of a letter written by the aging Thomas Jefferson to John Adams about Jefferson’s dream - the establishment of what was to become the University of Virginia.  Then this episode takes a brief look at the ideas and principles of Thomas Jefferson.

The episode shifts to the second year of UVA’s operation, and the entrance of young Edgar Allan Poe as a student.  This episode also deals with the selection of the faculty, Poe’s residences at UVA, and Poe’s role in the Jefferson Literary Society.

00:01 Introduction
00:42 Letter from Jefferson to Adams
02:01 Thomas Jefferson
07:37 Founding the University of Virginia
10:57 Selecting the faculty
17:35 Poe becomes a student at UVA
23:00 Room on the Lawn (with Miles George)
25:01 Athletic achievements and physical appearance
26:46 Poe’s West Range Room
27:55 Jefferson Literary Society
31:28 Future Episodes
31:53 Sources   

Transcript

Edgar Allan Poe in italics
George Bartley in plain font

Podcast: The Thomas Jefferson Hour
Suggested online course (free!) at coursera from UVA - The Age of Jefferson

00:01  Introduction

Welcome to Celebrate Poe. My name is George Bartley, and this is episode number 118 - Jefferson’s Dream. The opening and outro music for this episode is from Come Rest in This  Bosom - said to be Edgar Poe’s favorite song.

00:42 Letter from Jefferson to Adams

I’d like to begin this episode with a brief section from a letter that the aging Thomas Jefferson wrote to his old friend John Adams on October 12, 1823.

Crippled wrists and fingers make writing slow and laborious, but while writing to you I lose the sense of these in the recollections of ancient times, when youth made health and happiness out of everything. I forget for a while this hoary winter of age, when we can think of nothing but how to keep ourselves warm by the fire and how to get rid of our heavy penalties until the friendly hand of death shall rid us of it all at once. Against this tedium vitce, however, my dear friend, I am now fortunately mounted on a hobby, which, indeed, I mounted some thirty or forty years ago, but whose amble is still sufficient to give exercise and amusement to an octagenarian writer. This is the establishment of a university for the education of all succeeding generations of youth in this Republic.”

02:01 Introduction to Jefferson

Today Celebrate Poe begins a look at establishment of University of Virginia, and Edgar Poe’s months as a student there during its second year of operation. I say months because Poe began his time at the University on February 14, 1776, and was forced to leave that winter several months later - but I will be going into that in a few minutes.  And after a bit about Mr. Jefferson, this episode will talk with the ghost of Mr. Poe.

To really understand the University of Virginia, you have to look at its founder, Thomas Jefferson, and his educational philosophy. To understand Jefferson the man and politician there is a great podcast out there called The Thomas Jefferson Hour where humanities scholar and author, Clay Jenkinson portrays Thomas Jefferson and features his views on events of his time, contemporary issues facing America, and answers to questions submitted by listeners.  Mr, Jenkins does a great job as a historical renactor of Mr. Jefferson, and I just sit in awe of his command of Mr. Jefferson’s words and thoughts - he really knows his subject.

A shorter way - and by shorter I mean just a few hours as compared to the nearly 1,500 hours online of The Thomas Jefferson Hour so far, is a free course at the University of Virginia called the Age of Jefferson - free that is unless you want a certficate.

The class is taught by Professor Peter S. Onuf - author and professor at the University of Virginia. The course is well-worth your time, and I have put the titles - and a link to coursera on the show notes and the transcript for this episode at celebratepoe.buzzsprout.com   Now a word about that course - just go to coursera.org - type Jefferson in the search box at the top of the page - and enroll in the course The Age of Jefferson

I think a great way of setting the basis for the portion of this podcast dealing with Edgar Poe’s attending the University of Virginia is to go over the basics of that class. - This episode will briefly - and let me emphasize briefly - go over the six parts of the Age of Jefferson.  I really believe that spending a few minutes going over Thomas Jefferson and his ideals will make the complexities of Edgar Allan Poe’s experience at the University of Virginia much clearer.   So I will be using some of the descriptive material here from Dr. Onuf’s class. 

First, Thomas Jefferson also been one of the most polarizing and controversial figures in American history. Jefferson’s reputation has certainly changed and evolved over the last two centuries. Many people in both the nineteenth and twentieth centuries have viewed Jefferson and his ideas with skepticism or worse while others have embraced Jefferson.  No matter how you feel about Jefferson, the man and his ideals cannot be ignored.
Second, probably the first thing you think about when someone mentions Thomas Jefferson is the fact that he wrote the Declaration of Independence. Listing it as the first of three achievements on his tombstone, Jefferson clearly believed the Declaration to be of profound importance.
Third - Thomas Jefferson and his attitude towards religion in society continues to be a topic of debate today in both the United States and around the world. Thomas Jefferson was never happier than when his Bill for Religious Freedom was finally enacted in Virginia in 1786. 
Fourth - The earth belongs to the living - In 1789, Jefferson wrote a letter to James Madison from Paris in which he asserted that “the earth belongs to the living.” Calculating that a single generation could be said to last nineteen years - I guess because life expectancy was a great deal lower - Mr. Jefferson proposed that no debts should be incurred that could not be paid off in nineteen years; that all laws should be re-written every nineteen years; and that Americans should re-write even their constitutions every nineteen years. Madison thought the ideas Jefferson outlined in this letter to be wildly impractical, and most commentators since then have come to the same conclusion. 

07:37 Founding the University of Virginia

And finally - education was one of Jefferson’s constant preoccupations.  The founding of the University in 1819 was certainly not the first time he had considered the importance of the subject, but has come to us as the most obvious example of his interest in education.
But founding the Universty was certainly not easy.  Some of the strong criticism proceeded from William and Mary College, his own alma mater, which to be honest, was in a rather swampy area, and the surroundings were not the most healthy. However most of it arose from the nature of Jefferson’s educational ideals. He was well  acquainted with the methods of English and Continental universities. Jefferson endeavored to build a a type of university that was new to American education.  You see, in 1818, when he sent his proposals to the Legislature of Virginia, the vast majority of colleges in the United States, were still largely under denominational influence. Jefferson’s proposal that the University of Virginia be completely non-sectarian was a red rag to the conservative Church of England and Presbyterian elements of the State. But since the very essence of Jefferson’s ideal was freedom, from the choice of professors to the selection by the students of their courses of study.  Jefferson persisted and ultimately won his fight.
He chose for the site of his University, Charlottesville, lying in the valley between the Southwest Mountains on one side and the Blue Ridge on the other. Toward the south the
 Ragged Mountains rose, and on the north the land rolled away as far as the eye could reach.

Edgar Allan Poe later wrote a story set speficially in the Ragged Mountains, and could have been thinking about the view from one of the nearby mountains when in Tamlerlane, he wrote
“on the crown

Of a high mountain which looked down
Afar from its proud natural towers
Of rock and forest, on the hills —
The dwindled hills: begirt with bowers.”

The cornerstone for one of the pavilions, the modern Colonnade Club, was laid in 1817. Jefferson certainly had the advice of practical architects, but the main conception was his. To him is due the lofty Rotunda, modelled on the Pantheon at Rome, and looking down on the West and East Ranges, each with its mingled Ionic, Doric, and Corinthian Pavilions. It still remains one of the most impressive examples of classic architecture on any American college campus, and to a lover of beauty like Poe, it must have been an inspiration.

10:57 Selecting the faculty

While the University was being built, Jefferson had been selecting the Faculty. He sought both by correspondence and by sending an emissary to England, Francis W. Gilmer, to secure the foremost men available. The first Faculty certainly contained a number of fine scholars. George Long (1800-1879), a Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, although young when he accepted the Chair of Ancient Languages, established standards of scholarship during his brief stay from 1825 to 1828 which have become a tradition at Virginia. Receiving a call to the University of London, he returned to his native country. In his senior class, which Poe attended, he required during each period one hundred lines from a Roman poet such as Virgil to be read, followed by translations from Horace or some other author in Greek or Latin. At times he varied this program by written tests in Greek or Latin grammar. The grammatical constructions were illustrated by copious references to classical authors, and the class was instructed to follow up each reference and become familiar with the general texts of the authors used. Gessner Harrison, Long’s foremost pupil and his successor in the Chair of Ancient Languages, has testified to the close attention and hard labor that was necessary. Long seems to have taught Latin and Greek with an understanding of history It is said that Long was able to teach languages and and geography in a style that made them come alive.
George Blaettermann, the Professor of Modern Languages, was a native of Germany, but living in London, when on the recommendation of George Ticknor, of Harvard, he was appointed to that chair. He was an irascible person, who went so far as to cowhide his wife on the street, and he was dismissed in 1838 at the request of the undergraduate body. But he seems to have been a competent linguist. Poe, according to the testimony of William Wertenbaker, took French, Spanish, and Italian. On one occasion, Professor Blaettermann gave as a voluntary exercise a verse translation from Tasso. Poe was the only student who responded, and his verse was highly praised by the none too genial teacher. That Poe was more interested in his modern language study than in his work in ancient languages may be indicated by the fact that his library cards were signed by Blaettermann, although, of course, this may have been accidental.

The reputation of the University spread rapidly. Among Jefferson’s loyal supporters in the enterprise was General John H. Cocke, a public-spirited citizen. General Cocke was a friend of John Allan and it seems probable that Edgar was sent to the University at his suggestion.   So now a young freshman by the name of Edgar Allan Poe enters the picture as the school enters its second year of operation on Valentine’s Day - February 14, 1826.
Now let me say here, that it may have been possible that young Edgar had already met and fallen in love with Elmira Royster of Richmond - we just don’t know for sure - but if he did, then leaving who he felt was his true love certainly wasn’t easy - and entering school on Valentine’s Day might have made it all the more cruel seeming.  But this podcast will deal with Elmira Shelton a great deal more in future episodes.

GHOST ENTRANCE

Greetings, Mr. Bartley - Have you finished talking about the beginings of the University of Virginia.

Largely - you seem to always know when to arrive, Mr. Poe.

Being a supernatural being gives one that ability.

It might be interesting to know some of the ways that you obtained education before you entered the University of Virginia.

Certainly - there were the schools abroad in Scotland and especially five years of classical education at Stoke Newington near London.  And in addition to regular schooling in Richmond, Virginia, I also experienced what you might call today “informal networking” by socializing with the various guests of John and Francis Allan and other prominent and well esteemed individuals to which Richmond owes so much of her name and character.

17:35 Poe becomes a student at UVA

So I guess it would be natural that John Allan would have wanted his son to attend an prestigious center of learning.  Even by carriage, it would only require a day or two to travel the aprproximately sixty miles from the Allan home in Richmond to the University of Virginia in Virginia.

Ah, yes, but I discovered later - MUCH later - that accordingt to writer Arthur Hobson Quinn in Edgar Allan Poe: A Critical Biography, the first session was quite … shall we say - stormy.

And you can’t get much more reliable than Arthur Hobson Quinn.

I do agree.  Anyway, The professors, who were mainly English, seem to have been unpopular because of that fact, were the victims of unpardonable disrespect. The faculty-meetings in the first session were largely given up to disciplining students guilty of the use of ardent and vinous liquors, or of gambling. There were open outbreaks as well as personal rebellion against rules. The University seemed in imminent peril- from within, because of the unrestrained wildness, rampant disrespect, and obstreperous conduct of a body of immature young men, who mistook this new liberty for license.

Did the university situation change for the second year of operation?

Somewhat - but not entirely.  You see, the second session began on February 1, 1826. On that day thirty-four students matriculated. After that they came in day by day, until by Tuesday, February 14, one hundred and thirty-one students had matriculated. On the 14th five students entered, among them me.  I was No. 136 out of a total enrolment for the session of one hundred and seventy-seven students.

So you just made it.

Let me summarize - and add some relevant comments.  I was  136th on the list of 177 who attended during that shcool year. Of the 177, six withdraw, three were suspended, three were dismissed, and three were expelled during the year.

I paid my fees of $60 for attendance on two professors, George Long, School of Ancient Languages (Greek and Latin), and George Blaettermann, School of Modern Languages (French, German, Italian, and Spanish).

My class schedule was: Ancient Languages: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 7:30 to 9:30 A.M. Modern Languages: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, 7:30 to 9:30 A.M.

I can’t even imagine having to be at class at 7:30 in the morning.

I knew I was going to have financial problems, and as early as February 22. I later wrote John Allan regarding the necessary expenses for the University -

The expences of the institution at the lowest estimate were $350 per annum. You sent me there with $110. Of this $50 were to be paid immediately for board — $60 for attendance upon 2 professors — and you even then did not miss the opportunity of abusing me because I did not attend 3. Then $15 more were to be paid for room-rent — remember that all this was to be paid in advance, with $110. — $12 more for a bed — and $12 more for room furniture. I had, of course, the mortification [page 2:] of running in debt for public property — against the known rules of the institution, and was immediately regarded in the light of a beggar. You will remember that in a week after my arrival, I wrote to you for some more money, and for books — You replied in terms of the utmost abuse — if I had been the vilest wretch on earth you could not have been more abusive than you were 

You certainly had a right to be concerned.  But let’s concentrate on your actual life at the University. 

23:00 Room on the Lawn (with Miles George)

According to a college mate and warm personal friend, Thomas Goode Tucker, I roomed at first on the Lawn with Miles George, of Richmond.

Do we know the location of that room?

Unfortunately, there is no evidence of any kind remaining that shows the location of this Lawn room.

Could you tell us about this roommate - Miles George?

Miles George (born September 17, 1807), was the son of Bird George, of Richmond, Virginia, matriculated on February 3, 1826, entering the classes of Professors Long and Key, and remained at the University two sessions. While he does not seem to have been engaged in any disturbances or guilty of any misdemeanours. He afterward graduated from the Medical College of Pennsylvania.

So I guess it could be said that you and this Miles George got along fairly  well.

For the most part - but early in the session, Miles George and I DID  have some difficulty. The cause of this youthful disagreement is unknown, and in all probability was not at all serious. The result, however, of the discord was a fisticuff in a field near the University, after which the participants shook hands and parted in peace. Miles George remained in possession of the Lawn room and I moved to West Range.

Now, at this point - how old would you have been?

25:01 Athletic achievements and physical appearance

I was just past seventeen.  But it must be pointed out that my athletic record was already well established.  Some might say I was “rather short of stature, thick and somewhat compactly set, but very active, being quite an expert in athletic and gymnastic arts.” It may spoil a poetic illusion to add that I was bow-legged and walked rapidly, with a certain jerkiness in his hurried movements.”

Let me emphasize that my greatest athletic achievement dates from June, 1825, when I swam, under a hot sun, from Ludlam’s Wharf in Richmond to Warwick, a distance of six miles, against a very strong tide. This feat on the James, which is duly attested, was indeed remarkable for a boy, and in a measure justifies my later boast that I could swim the English Channel from Dover to Calais. But my prowess was not confined to swimming. I had the reputation of being the best young boxer in Richmond; and if in fights I ever had to exercise the valorous discretion of flight, I could readily have outstripped most contestants.  The reason is obvious - my swiftness in running was noted among my companions. My athletic record in field sports, however, would have been made in the running broad jump.

26:46 Poe’s West Range Room

Yes, Mr. Poe - you certainly are proud of your athletic accomplishments.  But I am afraid we are beginning to wander too far from the experiences of your session at the University of Virginia.  I’d like to talk more about your room on the West Range and life at the University.

I used to entertain myself and my friends by writing on a bit of paper of fixed size the largest possible number of words. I also greatly enjoyed drawing crayon sketches on my walls.  Some of my friends have remarked that sometimes while I was taking part in conversation I would also write verse, training myself to listen and think of something else at the same time. This rhyming, when it is pronounced creditable, was after all but a sign of my developing skills in versification, which were also shown in my translation from the Italian.

27:55 Jefferson Literary Society

Ah, I would assume such skills would prove helpful in your writing.

Ah yes. Later I did join the Jefferson Literary Society at the University and became its secretary. In fact, once I read one of my stories to an audience of my friends.  I thought the story was of some merit, but a friend, who, in a spirit of jest, spoke most lightly of its merits. He jokingly told me that my hero’s name, “Gaffy;” occurred too often. My proud spirit considered such remarks to be open rebuke; so in a fit of anger snf before my friends could prevent me, I had flung every sheet in a blazing fire, and thus was lost a story of more than ordinary parts. Unlike most of my stories, this piece of literature was intensely amusing, entirely free from my usual somber coloring and sad conclusions that might merge in a mist of impenetrable gloom. I was for a long time afterwards called by those in this particular circle “Gaffy” Poe.  You may surmise that this was a name that I never altogether relished.

I can only surmise that the world was robbed of a story by one of its greatest writers.  That situation reminds me of a brief scene from the movie Shakespeare in Love, where the character of Shakespeare is upset and throws away a play that he does not like.  On the commentary to the movie, the observation is made that such an action would be a tragedy to Shakespearean scholars.  Such an action from Mr. Poe would be a similar tragedy for Poe scholars.

30:04 Summary

But in summary, Mr. Poe, would you read this observation that Miles George made about you at the University -

Certainly - Poe, as has been said, was fond of quoting poetic authors and reading poetic productions of his own, with which his friends were delighted & entertained, then suddenly a change would come over him & he would with a piece of charcoal evince his versatile genius, by sketching upon the walls of his dormitory, whimsical, fanciful, & grotesque figures, with so much artistic skill, as to leave us in doubt whether Poe in future life would be Painter or Poet; He was very excitable & restless, at times wayward, melancholic & morose, but again in his better moods frolicksome, full of fun & a most attractive & agreeable companion

31:28 Future Episodes

Join us for our next few episodes as Celebrate Poe continues an examination of the period when Edgar Poe attended the University of Viginia - the next episode will cover Poe’s problems with alcohol at the University, and some comments how his addiction has been greatly exaggerated.

31:53 Sources

Sources for this episode include

The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe by Edgar Allan Poe, Edgar Allan Poe: A Critical Biography by Arthur Hobson Quinn, Edgar Allan Poe: The Man by Mary E. Phillips, Life of Edgar A. Poe by Eugene L. Didier, The Poe Log: A Documentary Life of Edgar Allan Poe by Dwight Thomas and David K. Jackson, Poe and Place by Phillip Edward Phillips, and New Glimpses of Poe by James A. Harrison

Thank you for listening to Celebrate Poe.