The James Thomas Professorship in Philosophy
James B. Thomas, Jr. was a steadfast friend, wise counselor and liberal benefactor to Richmond College in its formative years. He led the trustees of Richmond College for nearly half a century and gave of his time and resources to ensure the continuation of the College, especially through the lean times following the Civil War by providing funds which enabled the College to reopen.
In 1881, the year before his death, Mr. Thomas supplied the funds to endow a professorship in the department of philosophy, which the Board of Trustees designated to bear his name. | 
Mr. James B. Thomas, Jr. |
Dr. Ladelle McWhorter, professor of philosophy and women's, gender, and sexuality studies, was appointed to a six-year term as the James Thomas Professor in Philosophy in 2005. She received her bachelor’s degree from Birmingham-Southern College and her master’s and doctoral degrees from Vanderbilt University.
Dr. McWhorter received the University's Distinguished Educator Award in 1996 and the American Philosophical Association Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1997. Her research interests are in feminist theory, 20th Century French & German philosophy, and political philosophy. | 
Dr. Ladelle McWhorter |
Past Chairholder
- Dr. James H. Hall, Jr., 1982-2005
- Benjamin Clark Hotzclaw, 1929-1966
- Walter Jorgensen Young, 1914-1919
- Thomas Albert Lewis, 1911-1914
- William Heth Whitsitt, 1901-1911
- William Dandridge Thomas,* 1886-1901
*Son of James B. Thomas, Jr. |
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