T. Ryland Sanford
Encyclopedia
Thomas Ryland Sanford was the first President of the Chatham Training School
.
He graduated from the Richmond College (now the University of Richmond
). In 1900, while a student there, he was awarded the Orator's Medal during a state contest held at Washington and Lee University
.
Sanford married Margaret Taylor of Chesterfield County, Virginia after his graduation from the Richmond College. Together they had eight children- seven sons and one daughter. Margaret died in 1936, but Sanford remarried in 1946. His second wife was Gertrude Payne of Hanover County, Virginia.
In 1909, with financial assistance from J. Hunt Hargrave, he founded the Chatham Training School. He was President of the school from 1911 to 1918, when he resigned and turned over the position to Aubrey H. Camden, who was Dean at the time. He was later active at CTS as the first Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
Sanford was a deeply religious man, and devoted the majority of his life to work as a pastor in various Virginia churches, such as the Chaptham Baptist Church. He was active in the Baptist General Association of Virginia and the Southern Baptist Convention
. In later years, he became troubled by arthritis and had to preach from a chair.
Sanford was described thus by Dr. F.W. Boatwright, who gave Sanford an honorary Doctorate in Divinity in 1922:
"Dr. Sanford, builder of churches and schools; forceful leader in community service; master of assemblies, able and eloquent minister of the word of God."
Hargrave Military Academy
Hargrave Military Academy is a private American boarding school located in the town of Chatham, Virginia.Hargrave is a school affiliated with the Baptist General Association of Virginia emphasizing Christian values that focuses on a college and military preparatory program...
.
Biography
Sanford was born at Montross in Westmoreland County, Virginia. His parents were Reverend Millard F. Sanford and Eleanor Nevitt Sanford.He graduated from the Richmond College (now the University of Richmond
University of Richmond
The University of Richmond is a selective, private, nonsectarian, liberal arts university located on the border of the city of Richmond and Henrico County, Virginia. The University of Richmond is a primarily undergraduate, residential university with approximately 4,000 undergraduate and graduate...
). In 1900, while a student there, he was awarded the Orator's Medal during a state contest held at Washington and Lee University
Washington and Lee University
Washington and Lee University is a private liberal arts college in Lexington, Virginia, United States.The classical school from which Washington and Lee descended was established in 1749 as Augusta Academy, about north of its present location. In 1776 it was renamed Liberty Hall in a burst of...
.
Sanford married Margaret Taylor of Chesterfield County, Virginia after his graduation from the Richmond College. Together they had eight children- seven sons and one daughter. Margaret died in 1936, but Sanford remarried in 1946. His second wife was Gertrude Payne of Hanover County, Virginia.
In 1909, with financial assistance from J. Hunt Hargrave, he founded the Chatham Training School. He was President of the school from 1911 to 1918, when he resigned and turned over the position to Aubrey H. Camden, who was Dean at the time. He was later active at CTS as the first Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
Sanford was a deeply religious man, and devoted the majority of his life to work as a pastor in various Virginia churches, such as the Chaptham Baptist Church. He was active in the Baptist General Association of Virginia and the Southern Baptist Convention
Southern Baptist Convention
The Southern Baptist Convention is a United States-based Christian denomination. It is the world's largest Baptist denomination and the largest Protestant body in the United States, with over 16 million members...
. In later years, he became troubled by arthritis and had to preach from a chair.
Death and legacy
He was killed in an automobile accident. His name endures at Hargrave Military Academy, where he was active for many years as co-founder, second President, and first Chairman of the Board of Trustees. The Sanford Hall building is named in his honor.Sanford was described thus by Dr. F.W. Boatwright, who gave Sanford an honorary Doctorate in Divinity in 1922:
"Dr. Sanford, builder of churches and schools; forceful leader in community service; master of assemblies, able and eloquent minister of the word of God."