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Johnston Memorial Library, Virginia State University
Special Collections and ArchivesJohnston Memorial Library
P.O. Box 9406
Virginia State University
Petersburg, Virginia 23806
USA
Phone: (804) 524-5582
Fax: (804) 524-6959
Email: refdesk@vsu.edu
URL: https://library.vsu.edu/
© 2003 By the Board of Visitors of Virginia State University.
Processed by: Special Collections and Archives Staff
Administrative Information
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Preferred Citation
A Guide to the Records of James Hugo Johnston Sr., Accession # VSU-RG 2/2, Special Collections and Archives, Johnston Memorial Library, Virginia State University, Petersburg, VA.
Biographical/Historical Information
James Hugo Johnston Sr. was born in Richmond, Virginia, July 29th, 1858. Not much is known about his parents. He graduated from the Richmond Normal School in Richmond, in 1876, and that fall he was elected a teacher in the public schools of his native city. He began in the lowest grade of the system and made his way upward until he was elected principal of the Baker Street group of schools, having twelve teachers under him.
in 1886, Governer Fitzhugh Lee, appointed him a member of
the Board of visitors of the Virginia Normal and Collegiate
Institute. He was also elected Secretary of the Board because
of his record as Principal of the Baker Street School in
Richmond. Mr. Johnston would also take charge of Virginia
Normal and Collegiate Institute, as President 
, January 1,
1888. Under his administration a three year course of study
was approved by the State Superintendent and began in the
Institute in June 1889.
In addition to serving as 
President , he was professor of
philosophy, and Political Economy. It was in recognition if
his ability and worth that Shaw University, at its
commencement held on May 23, 1889, conferred on him the degree
of A.M.; and, in 1892, the Ph.D.
Scope and Content Information
James Hugo Johnston Sr.'s administration was full of
controversy. During his administration the state of Virginia
pressured the University to adopt a style of education modeled
after Hampton. The correspondence reflects Johnston's day to
day activities as president of the University as well as some
correspondence with leaders of the local black community.
Additional information concerning James Hugo Johston's term as
President may also be found in the James Hugo Johnston Papers
acc# 1963-9 located at Virginia State University.
Contents List
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Correspondence 1/9/1888
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Correspondence 1/25/1888
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Correspondence 2/9/1888
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Correspondence 2/11/1888
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Correspondence 2/20/1888
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Correspondence 2/23/1888
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Correspondence 2/25/1888
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Correspondence 3/17/1888
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Correspondence 3/28/1888
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Correspondence 4/11/1888
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Correspondence 4/24/1888
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Correspondence 4/29/1888
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Correspondence 5/8/1888
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Correspondence 5/11/1888
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Correspondence 5/17/1888
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Correspondence 6/7/1888
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Correspondence 6/8/1888
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Correspondence 7/10/1888
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Correspondence 7/13/1888
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Correspondence 7/14/1888
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Correspondence 7/27/1888
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Correspondence 8/7/1888
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Correspondence 8/11/1888
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Correspondence 8/13/1888
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Correspondence 8/14/1888
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Correspondence 8/16/1888
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Correspondence 8/17/1888
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8/18/1888
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Correspondence 10/9/1888
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Correspondence 10/17/1888
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Correspondence 10/18/1888
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Correspondence 10/18/1888
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Correspondence 10/19/1888
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Correspondence 10/27/1888
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Correspondence: 9/2/1890
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Correspondence 9/12/1890
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Correspondence 9/14/1890
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Correspondence 9/15/1890
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Correspondence 1/12/1891