Near Charlottesville in Albemarle County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

William Holding Echols

— 1859–1934 —

Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 15, 2008

1. William Holding Echols Marker

Inscription. William Holding Echols (1859–1934), Professor of Mathematics, lived in this pavilion. By precept and example, he taught many generations of students with ruthless insistence that the supreme values are self respect, integrity of mind, contempt of fear and hatred of sham. The Eli Banana Order, by this tablet, honours Reddy Echols and his unique place in the history of the Order.

Erected 1949 by the Eli Banana Order Dedicated on May 21st..

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education.

Location. 38° 2.063′ N, 78° 30.231′ W. Marker is near Charlottesville, Virginia, in Albemarle County. Marker can be reached from the East Lawn. Marker is at the University of Virginia. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: No 34 East Lawn, Charlottesville VA 22903, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Kappa Sigma Fraternity (a few steps from this marker); World War I Memorial (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Woodrow Wilson (about 400 feet away); Edgar Allan Poe (about 600 feet away); These Garden Walls (about 600 feet away); Thomas Jefferson Monument (about 600 feet away); Henry Martin

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(about 700 feet away); James Monroe’s First Farm (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charlottesville.

Also see . . .
1. William Holding Echols. Wikipedia entry. “On October 27, 1895, a fire started in the Rotunda Annex on the UVA grounds. Echols, in a dramatic attempt to save the Rotunda, attempted to use dynamite to destroy the roofed portico that connected the Annex and the Rotunda and keep the fire from spreading to the historic building. Unfortunately, despite his attempt to hurl 50 pounds of dynamite to the portico from atop the Rotunda dome, the portico held, the fire spread more rapidly than before, and the Rotunda was gutted by the blaze.” (Submitted on July 4, 2008.)

2. The Eli Banana Ribbon Society. “While initially successful in dominating various student organizations, including the Jefferson Society, the Football Board, and the social scene, the organization took on a more lax tone over the succeeding years and became most famous for its ‘bacchanalian’ Easter parades with which the elections of new members were marked. The early period of the [secret] society was ultimately marked with its censure by the faculty in 1894, when the faculty demanded

William Holding Echols Marker at Pavilion VIII image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 15, 2008

2. William Holding Echols Marker at Pavilion VIII

Marker can be seen to the left of the leftmost window.

that the members sever their ties with the organization in writing and pledge not to rejoin, or forfeit their diplomas.” It was reconstituted in 1897 and is an active and more sedate society today. (Submitted on July 4, 2008.)

William Holding Echols image. Click for full size.

Wilipedia Collection

3. William Holding Echols

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 4, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,812 times since then and 50 times this year. Last updated on January 17, 2013, by Eric Daniel Restenberger of Charlottesville, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 4, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.