Mitchell, Samuel Chiles, 1864-1948

Samuel Chiles Mitchell was born in Coffeeville, Mississippi on 24 December 1864. A noted educator, Mitchell received an M.A. from Georgetown (Tennessee) College in 1888. From 1889-1891, Mitchell taught history and Greek at Mississippi College, then returned to his alma mater in 1892 to teach Latin. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 1899. Mitchell first became associated with Richmond, Virginia after 1895 where he taught history at the University of Richmond. Mitchell becomes President of the University of South Carolina in 1908, but in 1913 he was asked to return to Virginia. The Medical College of Virginia and the University College of Medicine were two rival institutions ever since 1893, when faculty split from MCV, forming their own medical school. This rift had widened due to several incidents, like a fire that destroyed the main UCM building, and graffiti vandalism. After several months of talks the two college presidents, Dr. George Ben Johnston and Dr. Stuart McGuire, decided to merge the two schools. Mitchell was asked to become the first president of the newly integrated Medical College of Virginia. While only in office a short time, Mitchell was able to guide MCV back to prominence. In 1914 Mitchell left to become President of what is now the University of Delaware. Mitchell would returned to Richmond in 1920 to resume teaching history at the University of Richmond, a position he would keep until his retirement in 1945. He died 20 August, 1948.

Mitchell was a professor at Richmond College, Richmond, Va.

Samuel Chiles Mitchell was president of the University of South Carolina, 1908-1913; president of the Medical College of Virginia, 1913-1914; president of Delaware College, 1914-1920; professor of history at the University of Richmond, 1895-1908 and 1920-1945; trustee of the Negro Rural School Fund of the Anna T. Jeanes Foundation, 1908-1937.

College president and educator.

Biographical Note