Washington

DEAN, James

Vermont Historical Magazine, No XI, October 1867, pp 599-600 [excerpt from a 
section on the history of Burlington; this article, "A Biographical Sketch of 
the Late Professor James DEAN, LL. D.," was authored by George F. HOUGHTON, 
Esq., of St. Albans, Franklin County, Vermont]

James DEAN was born 26 November 1776 in Windsor [Windsor County], Vermont, 
and was graduated at Dartmouth college in 1800, in the class of which the 
Hon. Samuel SWIFT of Middlebury [Addison County], is probably the only 
surviving member. Soon after his graduation, he became principal of an 
academy at Montpelier [Washington County], and while so engaged, was 
appointed tutor in the University of Vermont, continuing in that office from 
1807 to 1809, when he was the first to be chosen professor of mathematics and 
natural philosophy in that university. He occupied the professor's chair 
until the university building was rented by the United States as barracks. 
Pres. SAUNDERS, the Rev. Juson CHAMBERLAIN, and Prof. DEAN, who then 
constituted the academical faculty, left the institution 24 March 1814.

From Burlington [Chittenden County], Prof. DEAN went to Hanover [Grafton 
County], New Hampshire, where he took an appointment in the college erected 
on the prostration of Moor's charity school, but upon the decision of the 
United States supreme court, Mr. DEAN became disengaged from the duties of 
teaching for a while, and devoted his time to the pursuit of the sciences and 
benevolent purposes. Subsequently (in 1822) he was re-elected professor of 
mathematics and natural philosophy in the University of Vermont, and 
continued to occupy the professor's chair until the university edifice was 
accidentally consumed by fire 27 May 1824. He was succeeded by Prof. George 
W. BENEDICT, LL. D., in 1825.

In 1806 James DEAN received the honorary degree of A. M. from the University 
of Vermont, which was the first honorary degree granted by the institution. 
The same university bestowed upon him in 1847 the honorary degree of LL. D. 
The following inscription upon his tombstone, which stands in the old burying 
ground north of the Unitarian meeting house in Burlington, gives an epitome 
of his character and the date of his death: "James DEAN, LL. D., A. A. S., 
Born at Windsor [Windsor County], Vermont, 26 November 1776, Died at 
Burlington [Chittenden County], Vermont, 20 January 1849, A Friend of Peace, 
Temperance, Knowledge and Freedom, Nihil humani alienum."

Total abstinence, love of humanity, and the success of the peace society were 
cherished objects with him, and he devoted time and money for their 
furtherance. His only journey to London was to attend a meeting of the peace 
society. The Latin quotation upon his tombstone was suggested by Miss BUTLER 
of Groton [Middlesex County], Massachusetts, daughter of Caleb BUTLER, Esq., 
his classmate in Dartmouth college, to whom Prof. DEAN gave a legacy of books 
and money.

As a teacher Prof. DEAN was thorough, and demanded from his pupils 
intellectual labor and exact knowledge. As a man he was uncouth in his 
appearance and awkward in his manners, yet so great was his vivacity and 
appreciation of humor, that he was a favorite of the fair sex. By the way of 
contrast, it was amusing at an evening party to see the light, gay, 
resplendent figure of some accomplished belle, leaning on the ponderous arm 
of one that might well be taken for the lineal descendant of old Samuel 
Johnson. His handwriting corresponded with his conversation and life, and 
was stiff, sharp and awkward, but readable and full of sense.

"He possessed," says the late Rev. John WHEELER, D. D., in a valuable 
historical discourse, delivered by him in 1854 on the occasion of the 
semi-centennial anniversary of the University of Vermont, "a mathematical 
mind, distinguished for its clearness and accuracy, rather than its depth and 
scientific insight. He devoted himself to the life of a student, and 
acquired much and various knowledge, rather than comprehension and profound 
principles. He was rigid in his discipline, the sharp lines of which were, 
perhaps, increased by an occasional irritability of temper, which seemed to 
spring from his very peculiar physical constitution. He was inordinately 
fleshy, and in such way as to give the appearance rather of disease than of 
health. His influence in the university was marked by adherence to law and 
order in the simple and earnest pursuit of its objects." His only 
publications, known to the writer, consisted of the following, which are now 
exceedingly rare: An Alphabetical Atlas, or Gazetteer of Vermont, printed by 
Samuel GOSS for the author, January 1808, and an oration on curiosity, 
pronounced in the University of Vermont, 24 April 1810, on induction into 
office, published at the request of his students in May 1810. [Extract from 
this oration omitted.]

Submitted by Cathy Kubly