BLAIR, JAMES

(1656-1743), Amer. ecclesiastic and educationist; bp. of Virginia, pres. of its Council, and founder of its College. Educated at grammar school and early entered busine as merchant. Soon. transferred his interest to banking in which he acquired an immense fortune, To banking he added railroad investments and at one time was said to be the largest owner of railroad stock in the world. Loaned the U.S. Government $1,000,000 at outbreak of the Civil War. Among his gifts for educational purposes were those to the Bae Academy at Blair stown, N.J.; Grinnell College, Iowa; Princeton University and Lafayette College. He was the means of having more than 100 churches erected in various cities and towns in the West. an American lawyer. Graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1835. He resigned in following year and took up law, being admitted to bar in 1839. Became Solicitor of the United States in 1855. Acted for plaintiff in famous. Dred Scott Oase. From 1861 to 1864 served in President Lincoln's Cabinet as Postmaster-General. poet and preacher; 6. Edinburgh, ‘and was a ‘son of the manse’; author of a long and somewhat dull poem, The Grave, which, however, contained some impre ive pa ages, and had the adveneags of being illustrated by William ake.