John M. P. Atkinson
John Mayo Pleasants Atkinson was the tenth President of Hampden–Sydney College from 1857 to 1883. He was the first alumnus of the college to be named its president and is the longest tenured president to date.
Biography
Early life
John M. P. Atkinson was born on January 10, 1817, at the Mansfield Plantation in Dinwiddie County, Virginia. His father was Robert Atkinson and his mother, Mary Tabb Atkinson. He was educated at Hampden–Sydney College, from which he graduated in June 1835. He studied for the Presbyterian ministry for three years at Union Presbyterian Seminary and for two years at Princeton.Career
Presbyterian ministry
Over the next sixteen years, Atkinson served ministerial duties — including two in Texas, seven in Warrenton, Virginia, and seven in Georgetown, Washington, D.C.President of Hampden–Sydney College
In 1857, Atkinson was elected as the tenth president of Hampden–Sydney College. Dr. Atkinson is credited with managing to keep the college solvent while upholding disciplinary and academic standards. He was also tasked with the difficulties of reestablishing the college after the war. Beginning with four professors and one tutor, he brought the student roll from thirty-eight in 1865 to ninety-two in 1873. He was the first president to resign from his post as president of the college.At the December 1863 convention, Atkinson was elected as the first president of the Educational Association of Virginia.