Educator; born in
Jefferson county, Va.. May 3, 1843; graduated at Columbian College in 1860; served in the
Civil War as a private in the 12th Virginia Cavalry; was
Professor of Ancient Languages in Columbian College in 1865-71; studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1867, and later began practice in
Charlestown, W. Va. He was president of the
University of
West Virginia in 1882-83; member of Congress in 1882-94; became chairman of the committee on ways and means in 1893, and in this capacity introduced the tariff bill that bears his name, which was adopted in 1894.
He was
Postmaster-General in 1895-97, and in the latter year became president of Washington and Lee University.
He died in
Lexington, Va., Oct. 17, 1900.