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Submitted: 12/7/15 • Approved: 12/7/15 • Last Updated: 3/25/18 • R95893-G0-S3
5 Jan 1829-24 May 1880
Thomas Sanford GATHRIGHT
Born in Monroe County, Georgia. 5 Jan 1829
Married 06 Dec 1851 in Sumter Co.,AL to Sophronia Ann Price,(or Prince)
Died in Henderson, Rusk Co, Texas. May 24 1880
Buried in the City Cemetery, Henderson, Rusk Co, Texas
He first taught at Mount Hebron, Alabama, in 1850.
In 1854 Opened Summerville Institute, a private Boys School in Gholson County, Mississippi.
He managed to avoid serving in the Confederate Army by claiming poor health, family responsibilities, and professional duties, which included providing a free education for the children of indigent soldiers. though he was on good terms with the Confederation.
Thomas S Gathright, a Member of the Masons, served in the prestigious position of Grand Master of Masons of Mississippi from 1868 to 1869
3 Apr 1876 he was Appointed State Superintendent of Public Instruction in Mississippi.
Until Jefferson Davis declined an offer from the Texas A&M Board of Directors and recommended Gathright for the position of the 1st President of the Agricultural & Mechanical College of Texas (now Texas A&M University) July 15, 1876 - November 21, 1879
He was relieved of the presidency November 21, 1979 in a reorganization of the College. Caused by letting an internal dispute between faculty members and himself, all of whom had been chosen by the Board and not by Gathright, grow into a statewide scandal. When After an investigation, the Board of Directors asked for the resignation of Gathright and the entire remaining faculty in late November. Thomas S. Gathright was bitter to the end over this.
After leaving the A&M College he served as the Second president of the Henderson Male and Female College until his death (Dec 1879 - May 24 1880)
Contributed on 12/7/15 by justplaincountryphotography
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Record #: 95893