Text: Anonymous, “Dr. J. A. Harrison Dead,” Baltimore Sun (Baltimore, MD), vol. CXLVIII, no. 77, February 1, 1911, p. 11, col. 1

[page 11, column 1:]

Charlottesville, Jan. 31. — Dr. James A. Harrison, for 15 years a professor in the University of Virginia, died this morning at his home after a long illness due the hardening the arteries. Dr. Harrison was born in Pass Christian, Miss., in the summer of 1848, the of on merchant whose ancestors had gone to Louisiana from the James river environment of that great family. He was educated in New Orleans, where his first literary work appeared in contributions to the New Orleans papers; at the University of Virginia, where he studied from: 1866 to 1868, and Bonn and Munich, where he spent two years.

When but 23 years of age he was chosen by President Duncan, of Randolph-Macon College, to succeed Prof. Thomas R. Price In the chair of Latin, from which that scholar was transferred to the chair of English. For five years he taught in a stimulating way, when, in 1876, he called to the chair of English in Washington and Lee University. In 1895 he accepted the chair of Romance languages in the University of Virginia and was later transferred to that of Teutonic languages. Ta the spring of 1909 he resigned because of failing health and was made professor emeritus. At the same time it was announced that he had been enrolled upon the Carnegie list of retired teachers.

Dr. Harrison had filled the posts of chairman of the editorial committee of the Modern Language Association and was a member of the American Philological Society and edited for a time the Alumni Bulletin of the University of Virginia.

Dr. Harrison's life was divided between his great work in the lecture room, where he awoke the enthusiasm of the student, and in the study, where he produced the many books which have added materially to the riches of literature. He was still in Randolph-Macon when his first volume, Group of Poets and Their Haunts,” was published by Houghton, Mifflin Co. Then followed book after book: “Greek Vignettes,” “Spain in Profile,” “French Syntax,” “‘History of Spain,” “Story of Greece,” (a collection of Creole tales), “Negro English” (in Anglia), “Dictionary of Anglo-Saxon Poetry” (with W. M. Baskerville): editor of Beowulf, “Heine's “Library of Anglo-Saxon “Mme. de Sevigne's “Corneille's Nicomede,” A. Poe's Complete “New Glimpses of Poe,” Joint author of “Anglo-Saxon Dictionary,” “Easy French Lessons,” “Life of George Washington” and “The Last Letters of Edgar Allan Poe to Sarah Helen Whitman.” He was also one of the editors of the Century and Standard Dictionaries.

Never Ended Tributes To Poe.

His edition of Poe's works in 17 volumes did much for Poe's fame and the wealth of Poe literature. It brought together a mass of Poeana hitherto beyond the reach of the general reader and collector and beyond the knowledge doubtless of previous collectors and editors. While this work seemed the final word on Poe Dr. Harrison never ceased his search, and magazine articles published since the appearance of the Virginia edition bear witness to his success.

The publication in February, 1908, of “The Last Letters of Edgar Allan Poe to Sarah Helen Whitman” not only added materially to the extent of Poe's extant letters but showed the liberties editors had taken not simply in the matter of eliminating pages of the letters, but in changing and “improving” some parts of the remainder. The biography, to which the first volume of the Virginia edition was devoted, dispersed several clouds that had obscured Poe's fame and, under sympathetic interpretation and treatment, the personality of the poet stood forth in its proper strength and dignity. Perhaps it is not extravagant to say that Dr. Harrison did much to prepare the way for the universal recognition of the poet and romancer which was so evident at the centenary of his birth. The biography attached to this edition, and regarded as the standard life of Poe, was revised by Dr. Harrison during the past few months and is the last literary work from his hands.

His “History of Greece” in the “Story of the Nations” fixed the style — a new and vivid treatment of history — of that fine series. None of the many volumes which have succeeded surpassed It, if, indeed, any approached It in all that contributes an engaging and romantic atmosphere while preserving the dignity and truthfulness of historical writing.

Wandered In Europe Yearly.

During the past five or six years it had been evident to Dr. Harrison's family and friends that his physical life was declining, while his intellectual life was still in its full vigor. Every summer until two years ago he crossed the ocean and wandered over parts of Europe in obedience to demands that were partly those of his Intellect and partly those of his physical well being. The wanderlust never left him, and from it those who were interested in him hoped for benefit to his health, but without realization.

He met in the charming circles into which be was Introduced as a professor at Washington and hee University Miss Lizzie S. Letcher, daughter of the sturdy war-time Governor of Virginia. From the day of their marriage to the close of his life she was his constant co-worker. She survives him with one son, John Letcher Harrison.