15 Facts About Josiah Meigs

Josiah Meigs was an American academic, journalist, and government official.

Josiah Meigs was the first acting president of the University of Georgia in Athens, where he implemented the university's first physics curriculum in 1801, and president of the Columbian Institute for the Promotion of Arts and Sciences.

Josiah Meigs was admitted to the bar in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1783, and served as New Haven city clerk from 1784 to 1789.

In 1789, Josiah Meigs left New Haven, Connecticut, for St George, Bermuda, where he practiced law and was involved in defending the owners of US vessels that had been captured by British privateers.

Josiah Meigs taught there until 1801 when he was chosen as the first acting president of the University of Georgia in Athens.

At Georgia, Josiah Meigs implemented the university's first physics curriculum in 1801.

Josiah Meigs resigned as president on August 9,1810, after clashing with the university's board of trustees; however, he continued on in the position of Professor of Mathematics, Natural Philosophy and Chemistry for one more year.

Josiah Meigs was astronomer more than surveyor and took instruction from his predecessor, Jared Mansfield, by correspondence and from his clerks in the Washington, DC office.

Josiah Meigs then accepted an appointment as Commissioner of the United States General Land Office in Washington, DC, in 1814.

In 1818, Josiah Meigs was elected a member of the American Philosophical Society in Philadelphia.

Josiah Meigs was one of the original corporators and trustees of Columbian College, and professor of experimental philosophy there.

Josiah Meigs died on September 4,1822, and was buried in Holmead's Cemetery in Washington, DC In 1878, when the cemetery was disbanded and the graves removed, he was reinterred in Arlington National Cemetery in the lot of Major General Josiah Meigs.

Josiah Meigs is remembered at the University of Georgia in the name of the university's highest teaching honor.

The university annually recognizes up to five faculty members with the Josiah Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professorship.

The city of Josiah Meigs, Georgia, is named in his honor as is Josiah Meigs Street in Athens, Georgia.