Charles Lewis Cocke

Personal: 1820-1901, b. King William County, Virginia. Education: Virginia Baptist Seminary (later Richmond College); M.A. Columbian College (later George Washington University), 1840. Family: Wife: Susanna Virginia Pleasants; Children: Joseph James, Leila Virginia, Sallie Lewis, Mary Susan, Rose Pleasants, Charles Henry, Martha Louisa, Lucian H., and Elizabeth N. Previous Employment: Richmond College, Mathematics Professor, Dining Hall Manager, ca. 1840-1846. Other: Cocke is considered the founder of Hollins University, even though he did not arrive at Hollins until 1846. His predecessor, Joshua Bradley, left Hollins in the hands of a board of trustees, in 1845. Arranged for religious education of slaves. Helped establish local churches, both black and white. Never received a salary. Due to the large debt owed him, Cocke eventually allowed the board to give him the institute as payment. Helped to establish and fund a Baptist orphanage in Salem.https://digitalcommons.hollins.edu/presidents/1000/thumbnail.jp