William Holding Echols generally called "Reddy" Echols, was a professor of mathematics 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...

. The Echols Scholars Program is named in his honor.

Echols attended the University as an undergraduate and received his Bachelor of Science and a civil engineering degree from the University in 1882. Following his graduation, he became an engineering professor, and later director, of the Missouri School of Mines (now Missouri University of Science and Technology

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Missouri University of Science and Technology is an institution of higher learning located in Rolla, Missouri, United States, and part of the University of Missouri System...

). He returned to UVA as adjunct professor of mathematics in 1891, teaching mechanical engineering and serving as the building and grounds supervisor.

On October 27, 1895, a fire started in the Rotunda Annex

The Rotunda (University of Virginia)

The Rotunda is a building located on The Lawn in the original grounds of the University of Virginia. It was designed by Thomas Jefferson to represent the "authority of nature and power of reason" and was inspired by the Pantheon in Rome. Construction began in 1822 and was completed in 1826, after...

 on the UVA grounds. Echols, in a dramatic attempt to save the Rotunda, attempted to use dynamite

Dynamite

Dynamite is an explosive material based on nitroglycerin, initially using diatomaceous earth , or another absorbent substance such as powdered shells, clay, sawdust, or wood pulp. Dynamites using organic materials such as sawdust are less stable and such use has been generally discontinued...

 to destroy the roofed portico that connected the Annex and the Rotunda and keep the fire from spreading to the historic building. Unfortunately, despite his attempt to hurl 50 pounds of dynamite to the portico from atop the Rotunda dome, the portico held, the fire spread more rapidly than before, and the Rotunda was gutted by the blaze.

In later years, Echols authored a text on elementary calculus. He remained active in University life and was a member of Eli Banana

Eli Banana

The Eli Banana Ribbon Society is the oldest secret society at the University of Virginia. Founded in 1878 as a way to encourage the fraternities to engage more directly in the life of the University, the aim of the society was to bring its members to leadership in the University community and to...

. He died of a heart attack in his home on the East Lawn in 1934 and is buried in the University Cemetery.