To James Madison from Thomas C. Levins, 7 May 1827
From Thomas C. Levins
New York—28 Green St. May 7th. 1827.
Sir
Having heard that the present professor of mathematics in the University of Virginia intends to resign his situation, I offer myself as a candidate to fill the chair. Shd. any testimony as to moral character or capability of teaching be required, I can refer to many estimable friends in G. Town and Washington. A few days since I had the honour of addressing a letter to the Honble Mr. Calhoun on the present subject.1 At the commencement of the University, before the professors had arrived from England, he made application to Mr. Jefferson in my behalf. Mr. Jefferson stated the Professors had been engaged, and, of course, a situation then cd. not be obtained. My scientific education has been derived from professors Playfair,2 Leslie and Jameson3 of Edinburgh. I have taught in G. Town college—also in Ireland. In the year 1824 July 23d or 24th. I sent to the Nat. Intelligencer an account of the examinations at West Point, and this year I have been invited by the prest. Secy. of War to attend at the Military Acady. as a member of the Board of Visitors. Shd. I be deemed worthy of a situation in yr. college, I shall discharge its duties with zeal & effort. I am with respect yr. obdt. servt.
Thos. C. Levins4
RC (ViU: Special Collections, Madison Papers). Cover docketed by JM.
1. Levins’s letter to John C. Calhoun, 21 Apr. 1827 (ViU: Special Collections), requested a letter of recommendation for the position of professor of mathematics at the University of Virginia. It was enclosed in Calhoun to JM, 13 May 1827.
2. John Playfair (1748–1819) was joint professor of mathematics, 1785–1805, and professor of natural philosophy, 1805–19, at the University of Edinburgh. A member of the Royal Society, Playfair wrote a number of works, including Elements of Geometry (1795) and Illustrations of the Huttonian Theory of the Earth (1802).
3. Robert Jameson (1774–1854) was Regius Professor of Natural History at the University of Edinburgh, 1804–54.
4. Thomas C. Levins (1789–1843), an Irish Roman Catholic priest, taught natural philosophy and mathematics at Georgetown College, 1822–25. At the time of this letter, Levins was part of the diocese of New York.