Julian Alvin Carroll Chandler
Encyclopedia
Julian Alvin Carroll "J.A.C." Chandler (October 29, 1872 – May 31, 1934) was an American historian
, author
and educator. He is best-known as the 18th president of The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia
, where he served as the successor to retiring fellow educator and author Dr. Lyon Gardiner Tyler. Dr. Chandler is credited with transforming the institution from a small, struggling liberal arts college for men into a modern coeducational institution of higher learning.
. He earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the College of William and Mary in the early 1890s. He continued his education at Johns Hopkins University
, earning a doctorate in history. With his degrees he worked for a school textbook company, taught at both Richmond’s Woman’s College and Richmond College
, and served as superintendent of the Richmond City Public Schools
. During his decade as head of schools, he expanded the school system and implemented a progressive model of primary education.
. A school of 300 students when he became president in 1919, the school enrolled thousands by the 1930s, although the Great Depression
impacted his administration negatively in a manner similar to other institutions.
Dr. Chandler's recruitment of Reverend Doctor W.A.R. Goodwin (1869–1939) to head the college's endowment fund-raising duties in 1923 was particularly noteworthy. Dr. Goodwin had served as rector of Williamsburg's Bruton Parish Church
from until accepting a call to serve in Rochester, New York
in 1909. The champion of the restoration of the historic colonial Virginia church for the 300th anniversary of the settlement at Jamestown
in 1607, which also dates the establishment of the modern Episcopal Church
in Virginia.
Upon his return to Williamsburg, Dr. Goodwin, known later as "the Father of Colonial Williamsburg" undertook renewed restoration efforts for buildings on and adjacent to the historic college campus, including the Wren Building
and its adjacent structures. While working under Dr. Chandler, Goodwin successfully attracted both the attention and support of philanthropist
and heir to the Standard Oil
fortune John D. Rockefeller Jr. and his wife Abby Aldrich Rockefeller
beginning in 1926 with the building of the Phi Beta Kappa Hall on Jamestown Road. Those efforts resulted in the preservation and restoration of Colonial Williamsburg
.
at the age of 69.
During approximately 15 years under his leadersip, the College of William and Mary expanded and diversified its programs into prominence in many disciplines. As a former school division
superintendent of schools, Dr. Chandler knew of a strong need in Virginia for additional efforts to educate teachers and other professionals for the public schools, especially for more coeducational programs. His greatest legacy at William and Mary is considered by many to be School of Education, which began a long continuing tradition of providing an education to many of Virginia's public school teachers. In modern times, the School of Education also sponsors summer sessions, as well as seminars and workshops during the school year to enhance opportunities for the continuing education of in-service public school instructional personnel.
Shortly after his death, in Richmond's Northside area, a city where he had served as the Superintendent of Schools, Chandler Middle School was named in his honor.
Historian
A historian is a person who studies and writes about the past and is regarded as an authority on it. Historians are concerned with the continuous, methodical narrative and research of past events as relating to the human race; as well as the study of all history in time. If the individual is...
, author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
and educator. He is best-known as the 18th president of The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia
Williamsburg, Virginia
Williamsburg is an independent city located on the Virginia Peninsula in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of Virginia, USA. As of the 2010 Census, the city had an estimated population of 14,068. It is bordered by James City County and York County, and is an independent city...
, where he served as the successor to retiring fellow educator and author Dr. Lyon Gardiner Tyler. Dr. Chandler is credited with transforming the institution from a small, struggling liberal arts college for men into a modern coeducational institution of higher learning.
Early life, education, career
Julian Chandler was born in Caroline County, VirginiaCaroline County, Virginia
Caroline County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2010, the population was 28,545. Its county seat is Bowling Green. Caroline County is also home to The Meadow stables, the birthplace of the renowned racehorse Secretariat, winner of the 1973 Kentucky Derby, Preakness and...
. He earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the College of William and Mary in the early 1890s. He continued his education at Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University
The Johns Hopkins University, commonly referred to as Johns Hopkins, JHU, or simply Hopkins, is a private research university based in Baltimore, Maryland, United States...
, earning a doctorate in history. With his degrees he worked for a school textbook company, taught at both Richmond’s Woman’s College and Richmond College
University of Richmond
The University of Richmond is a selective, private, nonsectarian, liberal arts university located on the border of the city of Richmond and Henrico County, Virginia. The University of Richmond is a primarily undergraduate, residential university with approximately 4,000 undergraduate and graduate...
, and served as superintendent of the Richmond City Public Schools
Richmond City Public Schools
This school division contains public schools serving the independent city of Richmond, Virginia. It is occasionally described locally as Richmond City Public Schools to emphasize its connection to the independent city rather than the Richmond-Petersburg region at large or the rural Richmond County...
. During his decade as head of schools, he expanded the school system and implemented a progressive model of primary education.
Accomplishments: modernization, Colonial Williamsburg
During most of the years of his tenure, Dr. Chandler achieved additional state funding from the Virginia General AssemblyVirginia General Assembly
The Virginia General Assembly is the legislative body of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the oldest legislative body in the Western Hemisphere, established on July 30, 1619. The General Assembly is a bicameral body consisting of a lower house, the Virginia House of Delegates, with 100 members,...
. A school of 300 students when he became president in 1919, the school enrolled thousands by the 1930s, although the Great 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...
impacted his administration negatively in a manner similar to other institutions.
Dr. Chandler's recruitment of Reverend Doctor W.A.R. Goodwin (1869–1939) to head the college's endowment fund-raising duties in 1923 was particularly noteworthy. Dr. Goodwin had served as rector of Williamsburg's Bruton Parish Church
Bruton Parish Church
Bruton Parish Church is located in the restored area of Colonial Williamsburg in Williamsburg, Virginia, USA. It was established in 1674 in the Virginia Colony, and remains an active Episcopal parish.-History of Bruton Parish Church:...
from until accepting a call to serve in Rochester, New York
Rochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
in 1909. The champion of the restoration of the historic colonial Virginia church for the 300th anniversary of the settlement at Jamestown
Jamestown, Virginia
Jamestown was a settlement in the Colony of Virginia. Established by the Virginia Company of London as "James Fort" on May 14, 1607 , it was the first permanent English settlement in what is now the United States, following several earlier failed attempts, including the Lost Colony of Roanoke...
in 1607, which also dates the establishment of the modern Episcopal Church
Episcopal Church (United States)
The Episcopal Church is a mainline Anglican Christian church found mainly in the United States , but also in Honduras, Taiwan, Colombia, Ecuador, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, the British Virgin Islands and parts of Europe...
in Virginia.
Upon his return to Williamsburg, Dr. Goodwin, known later as "the Father of Colonial Williamsburg" undertook renewed restoration efforts for buildings on and adjacent to the historic college campus, including the Wren Building
Wren Building
The Wren Building is the signature building of the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, USA. Along with the Brafferton and President's House, these buildings form the College's Historic Campus....
and its adjacent structures. While working under Dr. Chandler, Goodwin successfully attracted both the attention and support of philanthropist
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
and heir to the Standard Oil
Standard Oil
Standard Oil was a predominant American integrated oil producing, transporting, refining, and marketing company. Established in 1870 as a corporation in Ohio, it was the largest oil refiner in the world and operated as a major company trust and was one of the world's first and largest multinational...
fortune John D. Rockefeller Jr. and his wife Abby Aldrich Rockefeller
Abby Aldrich Rockefeller
Abby Aldrich Rockefeller, , was a prominent socialite and philanthropist and the second-generation matriarch of the renowned Rockefeller family...
beginning in 1926 with the building of the Phi Beta Kappa Hall on Jamestown Road. Those efforts resulted in the preservation and restoration of Colonial Williamsburg
Colonial Williamsburg
Colonial Williamsburg is the private foundation representing the historic district of the city of Williamsburg, Virginia, USA. The district includes buildings dating from 1699 to 1780 which made colonial Virginia's capital. The capital straddled the boundary of the original shires of Virginia —...
.
Death, legacy
After a short illness, Dr. Chandler died on May 31, 1934 in Norfolk, VirginiaNorfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
at the age of 69.
During approximately 15 years under his leadersip, the College of William and Mary expanded and diversified its programs into prominence in many disciplines. As a former school division
School division
-Canada:In Canada the term is used to the area controlled by a school board and is used interchangeably with school district, including in the formal name of the board. For example, see List of Alberta school boards.-United States:...
superintendent of schools, Dr. Chandler knew of a strong need in Virginia for additional efforts to educate teachers and other professionals for the public schools, especially for more coeducational programs. His greatest legacy at William and Mary is considered by many to be School of Education, which began a long continuing tradition of providing an education to many of Virginia's public school teachers. In modern times, the School of Education also sponsors summer sessions, as well as seminars and workshops during the school year to enhance opportunities for the continuing education of in-service public school instructional personnel.
Shortly after his death, in Richmond's Northside area, a city where he had served as the Superintendent of Schools, Chandler Middle School was named in his honor.