John B. Minor
Encyclopedia
John Barbee Minor was an American
academic. He taught law at the University of Virginia
for fifty years. His students achieved eminence in professional or public lives. Some referred to his teaching career as not only the longest but the ablest known to Anglo-Saxon
jurisprudence
, and one declared that “he has exerted, and still indirectly exerts, a wider influence for good upon society in the United States than any man who has lived in this generation.”
on June 2, 1813 to Launcelot and Elizabeth Minor, a weakling at sixteen, he began a long, horseback journey through the state as a newspaper agent and collector and then walked to Ohio
, where he entered Kenyon College
. Two of his classmates there became famous: David Davis
became United States Senator, United States Judge
, and administered the estate of President Lincoln
; and Edwin M. Stanton
became Secretary of War
under Lincoln. Afterwards Minor walked through Ohio and New York
, for health and recreation, and, having reached home, entered the University of Virginia in January 1831, where he was a student for three sessions, “graduating in several schools”, and received the LLB
in 1834, at twenty-one. He later married the daughter of his law instructor Professor John A.G. Davis, in whose home he tutored while pursuing his own studies. He had so overcome his physical weakness that he could endure almost unlimited labor, and developed “an impressive stature and presence.”
John "John" Barbee Minor was related to the Berkley, Maury, Dabney, Herndon, Byrd, Page, and many other Virginia families and was a close friend and kinsman to Matthew Fontaine Maury
and B. Franklin "Frank" Minor all three who loved to do garden growth experiments for relaxation. They constantly wrote to one another on a variety of subjects and deeply trusted one another with what they wrote. This is found in their writings that were saved. There is also a Maury Hall and a Dabney Hall close to Minor Hall at the University of Virginia. These families were and still are very close.
, in Botetourt county, and after six years moved to Charlottesville
, where he formed a partnership with his brother Lucian, who later became Professor of Law at William and Mary
. In 1845, when thirty-two years old, John B. was appointed Chair of Law at the University of Virginia, succeeding H. St. George Tucker, and remained the only instructor in that department until 1851. Upon the appointment of James P. Holcombe as Adjunct Professor of Constitutional
and International Law
, Mercantile Law and Equity, Minor’s subjects became Common
and Statute Law
, in both of which he became an authority. Of his monumental Institutes of Common and Statute Law, Senator Daniel said: “It cannot be surpassed as a vade mecum of the law; it is like a statue, solid, compact, clean cut; it contains more law in fewer words than any work with which I am acquainted.” The first and second volumes were published in 1875, and the fourth volume in 1878, while the third, which had long been used in pamphlet from by his pupils, was first published in complete form in 1895. In 1870 the professor began a summer course of law lectures, and his is believed to have been the first summer law school in the country. This became widely popular, enrolling more than a hundred students. As a teacher Minor was regarded with peculiar affection. Taking a personal interest in his pupils, he endeavored to develop their character as well as their minds. He continued to inspire and impress for fifty years until his death, July 29, 1895.
In addition to his Institutes, Minor published in 1850, The Virginia Reports, 1799-1800, and in 1894, the elaborate, Exposition of the Law of Crimes and Punishments, which long remained in general use. For his last forty-two years he was an Episcopalian. His religion “was the master chord in his life, the source of that rare union of sweetness and dignity, of gentleness with firmness, that helped to make up his charming personality.” For many years he superintended a Sunday school for slaves and also taught a Sunday morning Bible
class composed of students, whose last meetings were in their revered teacher’s study, after he was unable to walk to the lecture room.
and from Columbia
. On the fiftieth anniversary as a teacher of the law the University Law Alumni presented him with a life-size marble bust, mounted upon a polished pedestal bearing these impressive words: “He taught the law and the reason thereof.” James Russell Lowell
wrote his obituary, claiming Minor had signed more law diplomas than anyone in the country’s history. Minor Hall, occupied by the law school from 1911 to 1932, was named after him.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
academic. He taught law at the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
for fifty years. His students achieved eminence in professional or public lives. Some referred to his teaching career as not only the longest but the ablest known to Anglo-Saxon
Anglo-Saxons
Anglo-Saxon is a term used by historians to designate the Germanic tribes who invaded and settled the south and east of Great Britain beginning in the early 5th century AD, and the period from their creation of the English nation to the Norman conquest. The Anglo-Saxon Era denotes the period of...
jurisprudence
Jurisprudence
Jurisprudence is the theory and philosophy of law. Scholars of jurisprudence, or legal theorists , hope to obtain a deeper understanding of the nature of law, of legal reasoning, legal systems and of legal institutions...
, and one declared that “he has exerted, and still indirectly exerts, a wider influence for good upon society in the United States than any man who has lived in this generation.”
Early years
Born in Louisa County, VirginiaVirginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
on June 2, 1813 to Launcelot and Elizabeth Minor, a weakling at sixteen, he began a long, horseback journey through the state as a newspaper agent and collector and then walked to Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, where he entered Kenyon College
Kenyon College
Kenyon College is a private liberal arts college in Gambier, Ohio, founded in 1824 by Bishop Philander Chase of The Episcopal Church, in parallel with the Bexley Hall seminary. It is the oldest private college in Ohio...
. Two of his classmates there became famous: David Davis
David Davis (Supreme Court justice)
David Davis was a United States Senator from Illinois and associate justice of the United States Supreme Court. He also served as Abraham Lincoln's campaign manager at the 1860 Republican National Convention....
became United States Senator, United States Judge
Judge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open...
, and administered the estate of President Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and...
; and Edwin M. Stanton
Edwin M. Stanton
Edwin McMasters Stanton was an American lawyer and politician who served as Secretary of War under the Lincoln Administration during the American Civil War from 1862–1865...
became Secretary of War
United States Secretary of War
The Secretary of War was a member of the United States President's Cabinet, beginning with George Washington's administration. A similar position, called either "Secretary at War" or "Secretary of War," was appointed to serve the Congress of the Confederation under the Articles of Confederation...
under Lincoln. Afterwards Minor walked through Ohio and New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, for health and recreation, and, having reached home, entered the University of Virginia in January 1831, where he was a student for three sessions, “graduating in several schools”, and received the LLB
Bachelor of Laws
The Bachelor of Laws is an undergraduate, or bachelor, degree in law originating in England and offered in most common law countries as the primary law degree...
in 1834, at twenty-one. He later married the daughter of his law instructor Professor John A.G. Davis, in whose home he tutored while pursuing his own studies. He had so overcome his physical weakness that he could endure almost unlimited labor, and developed “an impressive stature and presence.”
John "John" Barbee Minor was related to the Berkley, Maury, Dabney, Herndon, Byrd, Page, and many other Virginia families and was a close friend and kinsman to Matthew Fontaine Maury
Matthew Fontaine Maury
Matthew Fontaine Maury , United States Navy was an American astronomer, historian, oceanographer, meteorologist, cartographer, author, geologist, and educator....
and B. Franklin "Frank" Minor all three who loved to do garden growth experiments for relaxation. They constantly wrote to one another on a variety of subjects and deeply trusted one another with what they wrote. This is found in their writings that were saved. There is also a Maury Hall and a Dabney Hall close to Minor Hall at the University of Virginia. These families were and still are very close.
Law and university career
Minor began to practice law at BuchananBuchanan, Virginia
Buchanan is a town in Botetourt County, Virginia, United States. The population was 1,233 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Roanoke Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Buchanan is located at ....
, in Botetourt county, and after six years moved to Charlottesville
Charlottesville, Virginia
Charlottesville 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...
, where he formed a partnership with his brother Lucian, who later became Professor of Law at 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 1845, when thirty-two years old, John B. was appointed Chair of Law at the University of Virginia, succeeding H. St. George Tucker, and remained the only instructor in that department until 1851. Upon the appointment of James P. Holcombe as Adjunct Professor of Constitutional
Constitutional law
Constitutional law is the body of law which defines the relationship of different entities within a state, namely, the executive, the legislature and the judiciary....
and International Law
International law
Public international law concerns the structure and conduct of sovereign states; analogous entities, such as the Holy See; and intergovernmental organizations. To a lesser degree, international law also may affect multinational corporations and individuals, an impact increasingly evolving beyond...
, Mercantile Law and Equity, Minor’s subjects became Common
Common law
Common law is law developed by judges through decisions of courts and similar tribunals rather than through legislative statutes or executive branch action...
and Statute Law
Statute
A statute is a formal written enactment of a legislative authority that governs a state, city, or county. Typically, statutes command or prohibit something, or declare policy. The word is often used to distinguish law made by legislative bodies from case law, decided by courts, and regulations...
, in both of which he became an authority. Of his monumental Institutes of Common and Statute Law, Senator Daniel said: “It cannot be surpassed as a vade mecum of the law; it is like a statue, solid, compact, clean cut; it contains more law in fewer words than any work with which I am acquainted.” The first and second volumes were published in 1875, and the fourth volume in 1878, while the third, which had long been used in pamphlet from by his pupils, was first published in complete form in 1895. In 1870 the professor began a summer course of law lectures, and his is believed to have been the first summer law school in the country. This became widely popular, enrolling more than a hundred students. As a teacher Minor was regarded with peculiar affection. Taking a personal interest in his pupils, he endeavored to develop their character as well as their minds. He continued to inspire and impress for fifty years until his death, July 29, 1895.
In addition to his Institutes, Minor published in 1850, The Virginia Reports, 1799-1800, and in 1894, the elaborate, Exposition of the Law of Crimes and Punishments, which long remained in general use. For his last forty-two years he was an Episcopalian. His religion “was the master chord in his life, the source of that rare union of sweetness and dignity, of gentleness with firmness, that helped to make up his charming personality.” For many years he superintended a Sunday school for slaves and also taught a Sunday morning Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
class composed of students, whose last meetings were in their revered teacher’s study, after he was unable to walk to the lecture room.
Honors and death
For his eminent attainments, Minor received the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from both Washington and LeeWashington and Lee University
Washington and Lee University is a private liberal arts college in Lexington, Virginia, United States.The classical school from which Washington and Lee descended was established in 1749 as Augusta Academy, about north of its present location. In 1776 it was renamed Liberty Hall in a burst of...
and from Columbia
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
. On the fiftieth anniversary as a teacher of the law the University Law Alumni presented him with a life-size marble bust, mounted upon a polished pedestal bearing these impressive words: “He taught the law and the reason thereof.” James Russell Lowell
James Russell Lowell
James Russell Lowell was an American Romantic poet, critic, editor, and diplomat. He is associated with the Fireside Poets, a group of New England writers who were among the first American poets who rivaled the popularity of British poets...
wrote his obituary, claiming Minor had signed more law diplomas than anyone in the country’s history. Minor Hall, occupied by the law school from 1911 to 1932, was named after him.