Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research.

Use Restrictions

See the University of Virginia Library’s use policy.

Preferred Citation

Thomas Hewitt Key Letter, Accession 10300-b, Special Collections Department, University of Virginia Library

Acquisition Information

This letter was purchased by the Library on February 13, 1996.

Funding Note

Funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities

Scope and Content

This letter, November 11, 1825, is from Thomas Hewitt Key (1799-1875), first professor of Mathematics at the University of Virginia, to Thomas Jefferson , Monticello, Virginia. Key had offered his resignation following the student riot on October 4, 1825 but had been persuaded to stay at the University of Virginia . In this letter, Key thanks Jefferson for his kindness and attention to Key's friends and notes that they will recollect with pleasure their visit to Monticello . He also mentions [Nicholas Philip] Trist (1800-1874) being kind enough to join the party. Key, who was apparently never satisfied at the University, left on March 10, 1827. The letter is docketed "Key Univ Nov. 11. 25 recd. Nov. 11." in Jefferson's hand.