John Randall Blackburn

John Randall Blackburn, Class of 1863, was born on April 1, 1841 in Essex County, Virginia to William Blackburn, a slave owner and Virginia planter and Fanny Randall, a slave. William Blackburn transported Fanny Randall and her children, of which eight were his, to Cincinnati, Ohio from the slave South. John Blackburn prepared for College by private instruction in Cincinnati. He entered Dartmouth College in 1859. He only remained for two years due to the outbreak of the Civil War. Mr. Blackburn served as the principal of colored schools in Xenia, Ohio. He also served as Professor of Mathematics at Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College in Rodney, Mississippi. Mr. Blackburn was also a member of the Masonic Order. He served as trustee for Wilberforce and Ohio Universities. He recieved a Master of Arts (A.M.) from the College in 1883. John R. Blackburn died in Cincinnati, Ohio on May 31, 1937 at the age of ninety-six.

(Ed. Note: The image to the left is of Reed Hall, one of the main buildings on campus at the time of Mr. Blackburn's attendance.)