John Lloyd Newcomb
Encyclopedia
John Lloyd Newcomb was an American educator. He served as the second president of the University of Virginia
, ascending to the position after the death of Edwin Alderman
. Newcomb, a member of the engineering faculty of the University, oversaw the University through the Depression
and the Second World War
and managed its physical expansion, including the building of Scott Stadium
, the Bayly Art Museum, and Alderman Library.
, Newcomb received his B.A. from the College of William and Mary
in 1900 and subsequently took a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Virginia in 1903. While a student and after receiving his civil engineering degree he worked as a computer in the engineering office of the Rapid Transit Subway Construction Company in New York and as an engineer for the Norfolk and Southern Railway. Newcomb was appointed an adjunct professor of civil engineering in 1905 by the Board of Visitors of UVA. He became Edwin Alderman's assistant in 1926 and succeeded Alderman after the first UVA president died of complications from a stroke. He was confirmed in the position after nearly two years as acting president, despite his lack of national renown.
While president of the University, Newcomb received honorary degrees from Washington and Lee University (doctor of science, 1933) and from his alma mater, the College of William and Mary (LL.D. 1935).
He died on February 22, 1954. After his death, Newcomb was revealed to be a member of the Seven Society
, the UVA secret society
known for its gifts to and support of the University community. In 1958 the Seven Society donated $17,777.77 to establish a loan fund for faculty and students in Newcomb's honor.
An engineering professorship, the John Lloyd Newcomb Professor of Material Science and Engineering Physics, is endowed in Newcomb's memory, and the student union building at Virginia, Newcomb Hall, is named after him.
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
, ascending to the position after the death of Edwin Alderman
Edwin Alderman
Edwin Anderson Alderman served as the President of three universities. The University of Virginia's Alderman Library is named after him, as is in Wilmington and Alderman dorm at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill...
. Newcomb, a member of the engineering faculty of the University, oversaw the University through the Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
and the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and managed its physical expansion, including the building of Scott Stadium
Scott Stadium
Scott Stadium , located in Charlottesville, Virginia, is the home of the Virginia Cavaliers football team. It sits on the University of Virginia's Grounds, east of Hereford College and first-year dorms on Alderman Road but west of Brown College and the Lawn...
, the Bayly Art Museum, and Alderman Library.
Biography
Born December 18, 1881 in Sassafras, Gloucester County, VirginiaGloucester County, Virginia
Gloucester County is within the Commonwealth of Virginia in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area in the USA. Formed in 1651 in the Virginia Colony, the county was named for Henry Stuart, Duke of Gloucester, third son of King Charles I of Great Britain. Located in the Middle Peninsula region, it...
, Newcomb received his B.A. from the College of William and Mary
College of William and Mary
The College of William & Mary in Virginia is a public research university located in Williamsburg, Virginia, United States...
in 1900 and subsequently took a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Virginia in 1903. While a student and after receiving his civil engineering degree he worked as a computer in the engineering office of the Rapid Transit Subway Construction Company in New York and as an engineer for the Norfolk and Southern Railway. Newcomb was appointed an adjunct professor of civil engineering in 1905 by the Board of Visitors of UVA. He became Edwin Alderman's assistant in 1926 and succeeded Alderman after the first UVA president died of complications from a stroke. He was confirmed in the position after nearly two years as acting president, despite his lack of national renown.
While president of the University, Newcomb received honorary degrees from Washington and Lee University (doctor of science, 1933) and from his alma mater, the College of William and Mary (LL.D. 1935).
He died on February 22, 1954. After his death, Newcomb was revealed to be a member of the Seven Society
Seven Society
The Seven Society is the most secretive of the University of Virginia's secret societies. Members are only revealed after their death, when a wreath of black magnolias in the shape of a "7" is placed at the gravesite, the bell tower of the University Chapel chimes at seven-second intervals on the...
, the UVA secret society
Secret Societies at the University of Virginia
Secret societies have been a part of University of Virginia student life since the first class of students in 1825. While the number of societies peaked during the 75 year period between 1875 and 1950, there are still five societies active that are over 100 years old, and several newer societies...
known for its gifts to and support of the University community. In 1958 the Seven Society donated $17,777.77 to establish a loan fund for faculty and students in Newcomb's honor.
An engineering professorship, the John Lloyd Newcomb Professor of Material Science and Engineering Physics, is endowed in Newcomb's memory, and the student union building at Virginia, Newcomb Hall, is named after him.
Academic career
- 1905-1925 – Professor of Civil Engineering, University of VirginiaUniversity of VirginiaThe University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
(Charlottesville, VirginiaCharlottesville, VirginiaCharlottesville is an independent city geographically surrounded by but separate from Albemarle County in the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States, and named after Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the queen consort of King George III of the United Kingdom.The official population estimate for...
) - 1925-1931 – Dean of Engineering, University of VirginiaUniversity of VirginiaThe University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
- 1926-1931 – Assistant to the President, University of VirginiaUniversity of VirginiaThe University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
- 1931-1933 – Acting President, University of VirginiaUniversity of VirginiaThe University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
- 1933-1947 – President of the University of VirginiaUniversity of VirginiaThe University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...