Robert Sherrard Bell was born in Winchester, Virginia in 1840. He attended the University of Virginia. At the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted in the 1st Rockbridge Artillery. He was captured at the first Battle of Kernstown in March 1862 and later exchanged and rejoined his unit in October. He later participated in the Battle of Gettysburg. He died while on picket at the Rappahannock bridge on November 5, 1863. Socrates Maupin was Professor of Chemistry at the University of Virginia. He also served as the Dean of the Faculty from 1854 to 1870.
From the description of Notes on chemistry from lectures of Professor Socrates Maupin, 1857-1858. (Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens). WorldCat record id: 767528000
