Richard W. Jones, class of 1857 (A.B.) and 1860 (A.M.)

Richard W. Jones was born on May 16, 1837 in Greensville County, Virginia. He graduated at the top of his class at Randolph-Macon in 1857. In 1861 he received his Master's degree from the University of Virginia. Soon following his graduation from there, he entered Confederate service, eventually raising his own company of infantry of which he was elected and commissioned captain. He would later rise to the rank of major and finally lieutenant colonel. Jones surrendered while serving with the 12th Virginia Infantry on April 9, 1865 at Appommatox Court House. After the war, Jones was a professor at Randolph-Macon, president of Martha Washington College, professor at the University of Mississippi and president of the State Industrial Institute and College in Columbus, Mississippi. He died Dec. 18, 1914 in Laurel, MS.