Hume, Thomas, 1836-1912

Baptist clergyman of various locations in Virginia, and professor of English at the University of North Carolina, 1885-1912.

From the description of Thomas Hume papers, 1777-1913 [manuscript]. WorldCat record id: 25465954

Thomas Hume (1836-1912) was a Baptist clergyman of various locations in Virginia, and professor of English at the University of North Carolina, 1885-1912. Hume was born in Portsmouth, Va., the son of Rev. Thomas Hume, a Baptist minister, and Mary Anne Gregory Hume. He attended Virginia Collegiate Institute at Portsmouth in preparation for college and gained distinction as a student of languages. At the age of 15, Hume entered Richmond College from which he graduated four years later (B.A. 1855). One year later Hume entered the University of Virginia where he obtained degrees in several fields. While attending this institution he served as Washington society editor of The Literary Magazine and as president of the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA), which he helped to organize.

In the late 1850s Hume accepted the position of professor of English and French Literature at Chesapeake Female College; however, the Civil War soon broke up the institution. Hume joined the 3rd Regiment, Virginia Infantry, and served as chaplain. Soon he was transferred to the post chaplaincy at Petersburg, Va. He remained in Petersburg as chaplain to the Confederate hospitals until the end of the war.

After the war Hume became principal of the Petersburg Classical Institute, a college preparatory school. He traveled and studied abroad and, on his return, became president of Roanoke College in Danville, Va. He served the Baptist church there for several years. Hume returned to Norfolk, Va., in 1874 to succeed his father as pastor of the First Baptist Church. In 1878 he became professor of English and Latin at Norfolk College, a position he held until his move to Chapel Hill, N.C.

Thomas Hume married Annie Louise Whitescarver in October 1878, and to them were born four children: Thomas, Ann Wilson, Mary Baynham Gregory, and Helen. In 1885 Hume became professor of English Language and Literature at the University of North Carolina. Throughout his life, he devoted much time to religious work and biblical assemblies. The National Executive Committee of the YMCA nominated Hume as director of their Christian work in towns and colleges in North Carolina, a position which he served for five years after coming to this state.

Hume received his bachelor's degree and later a doctor of divinity degree from Richmond College in Virginia. He also received an LL.D. from Wake Forest College in North Carolina. He was a member of the Modern Language Association of America and served as president of the Shakespeare and the Philological clubs of the University of North Carolina, and the North Carolina Baptist Historical Society. In 1907 the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching granted Hume an annuity, the first award of its kind to be bestowed on a North Carolina teacher. Subsequently, Hume resigned his position with the University partly because of his poor health, but apparently primarily out of a desire to devote more time to research.

From the guide to the Thomas Hume Papers, ., 1777-1913, (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection.)