Graduated from Columbian College, and accepted a position at Richmond College. 1840 On _December_ 31 married Susanna Virginia Pleasants, of Henrico County. 1840-1846 Connected with Richmond College. 1845 Called to take charge of "Valley Union Seminary," a co-educational school, Roanoke County, Va., at Botetourt Springs. 1846 _June_ 23 arrived at Botetourt Springs to take charge of the school. 1846 _July_ 1 the first session under Mr. Cocke's superintendence opened with 36 boys and 27 girls. 1852 Board of Trustees discontinued the department for boys. 1852 _July_ 20 the session 1852-'53 opened for girls only, under the name The Female Seminary at Botetourt Springs, Va., Mr. Cocke, Principal, Registration 81 girls. 1853 _September_ 4 the session of 1853-'54 opened with increased faculty and registration of 150 girls. 1855 Mr. and Mrs. John Hollins of Lynchburg, Va., donated funds to the institution, and in their Honor the name was changed to _Hollins Institute_. 1855-'61 Average attendance 106. 1861-'65 Doors not closed during this period. Average attendance 134. 1865-'71 Average attendance 73. 1871-1900 Buildings, enlarged to accommodate 225 students. 1901 _May_ 4 Charles L. Cocke died. CHARLES LEWIS COCKE FOUNDER OF HOLLINS COLLEGE I think I would rather have written a great biography than a great book of any other sort, as I would have rather painted a great portrait than any other kind of picture. PHILLIPS BROOKS. CHARLES LEWIS COCKE CHAPTER I THE EARLY YEARS 1820-1846 In the library at Hollins College is a life-size portrait of a great Virginian. In its presence, you instantly feel the spell of a commanding personality. The figure is tall, graceful, well proportioned, and in the right hand is a diploma, the proper symbol of the vocation of a College President. The attitude exactly fits the supreme moment on Commencement day. In the face, the artist has cunningly gathered the insignia of fine mental quality, and pictured the forces of achieving manhood. The ample brow looks the home of ideality and enterprise, the aquiline nose hints endurance and tireless energy. Napoleon selected as his marshals men marked by the prominence of this feature. That jaw and chin and those thin lips speak virility and determination. In the glance of those blue, eagle eyes, are intimations of keen intensity and lightning force, yet subduable to all the moods of tenderness and love. Truly, this is a notably fine presentation in art of one of the noblest Virginians of the 19th century.