Memorial dedicated to James Blair
Item
- Legacies Classification
- Memorial Type
- Memorial Context
- Memorialized Subject
- Title
- Background and Context
- Physical Description
- Creator/Participating Person(s)
- Date created, installed or dedicated
- Historical Period
- Location: Institution, City, State
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Memorial Object
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Sculptural Memorial
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Blair, James
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Memorial dedicated to James Blair
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The Reverend James Blair (1655-1748) was the founding president of William & Mary and an enslaver. A statue of James Blair was installed between Tyler (now Chancellors) and Blair Hall during Homecoming Week 1993 as part of the William & Mary’s Tercentenary celebration. The statue was sculpted by Lewis Cohen, professor of art and art history at William & Mary.
James Blair was born in Scotland and educated at Marischal College (University of Aberdeen) and the University of Edinburgh where he received a Master of Arts. Blair was president of the university from its founding in 1693 until his death on April 18, 1743. While president of William & Mary, Blair also served as rector of Bruton Parish Church. As commissary of the Bishop of London, James Blair had a tremendous influence on the established Virginia church.
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A large model of James Blair wearing a robe
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Lewis Cohen, professor of art and art history at William & Mary, sculpted the statue.
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October 1993
Position: 874 (7 views)