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The original letters are retained by Susan Wolford.
Gift of Susan Wolford, great-granddaughter of Rodman, in 1980.
Preferred citation: [Identification of item], John Rodman Correspondence, WLU Coll. 0463, Special Collections and Archives, James G. Leyburn Library, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA
In some cases the citation format may vary. Please contact Special Collections' staff to verify the appropriate format.
John Rodman was from Frankfurt, Kentucky. He was a student at Washington College from 1866 to 1870. He became a physician and practiced medicine in Dallas, Texas. Rodman was the younger brother of Admiral Hugh Rodman.
This collection contains four copies of letters written by Rodman while he was a student at Washington College and a transcription of each. They cover various aspects of campus life. All of the letters are addressed to his father. In the letter dated February 7, 1868, John writes about his finances, grades, and skating. In the second letter, February 3, 1868, John writes about receiving the highest score on an exam and about the temptation to neglect his studies for music and social activities. He mentions seeing General Robert E. Lee at the grocery store and his dissatisfaction with school on September 15, 1866. In his letter dated October 20, 1867, John writes to his father about hunting, his boarding situation, and his Spanish course.