My Genealogy Hound

Howard Edwards, A. M., Professor of History, English and Modern Languages in the A. I. U., was born in Fauquier County, Va., November 7, 1854, and received his education under his father, who was a noted educator. By the time he was twelve years of age he had read many of the classics with his father, and when seventeen years of age he entered Randolph Macon College, near Richmond; graduated in 1876 with the degree of A. M., being first honorary man in mathematics and also in Latin. The last year of his course he was elected Assistant Professor of Latin. Having taught a year in private schools, he studied in the universities of Leipsic and Paris, making language his chief study. Returning, he was instructor in English, German and History in Bethel (Va.) Academy, for two years, and was also two years at the Bingham (N.C.) School. He was then acting principal of Bethel (Va.) Academy, for two years, then principal of Tuscumbia (Ala.) Academy, and in 1885 he was elected to his present position. March, 1888, he was elected librarian of A. I. U. In 1881 he married Miss Elizabeth Smith, a native of Fauquier County, Va., and by this union were born two children, Norman and Bland. Both Prof. and Mrs. Edwards are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Rev. Francis M. and Frances (Bland) Edwards, parents of Prof. Edwards, were born in Virginia and North Carolina, respectively. The father was a native of King George County, was left an orphan when quite young, and was reared in Baltimore by a brother, Rev. William B. Edwards, D. D., where he received a fine classical education. He taught in private schools until the close of the war, and since then has been engaged in the ministry. The mother was a direct descendant of Theodrick Bland, of Colonial fame. In their family were three living children, two sons and one daughter. Clarence is a prominent educator of New York, and in his politics affiliates with the Democratic party.