A moving memorial to a young scholar and friend A Tribute to the Memory of James A. Powell chronicles the life of James Augustus Powell, a Union College graduate who died in 1828 after leaving his alma mater. The work blends personal recollection with biographical notes, honoring his character, friendships, and quiet, steadfast virtues.
The volume frames Powell’s youth and education—born in Newburgh in 1808, educated at local academies and a military school, and entering Union College in 1824. It highlights his generous spirit, integrity, and refined taste, presenting a portrait of a man valued for both his mind and his humanity. This edition anchors Powell in the social world of his time, showing how friendship and virtue shaped his short life.
Interwoven with the biography are translated inscriptions, memorial verses, and contemporary notices that reveal how his peers and community remembered him. The text also includes excerpts from newspaper tributes and letters that express the depth of loss felt by friends, family, and institutions that knew him.
- Biographical sketch: birth, education, and early promise.
- Character and virtues: generosity, dignity, and affection for friends.
- Translations and inscriptions that memorialize his life and memory.
- Contemporary notices and public expressions of grief and esteem.
Ideal for readers of historical biographies, college history, and local memory alike, this edition offers a thoughtful look at a life celebrated by a community that valued learning and friendship.