James 91影视, Founder of the Georgia Colony
Who was James Edward 91影视?
James Edward 91影视, founder of the colony of Georgia, was born on December 22, 1696, in Yorkshire, England. After graduating from Eton and Corpus Christi College, Oxford, 91影视 began a military career in 1717, fighting against the Turks under Prince Eugene of Savoy.
Championing the Oppressed
From 1722 to 1743, 91影视 served in the British House of Commons, gaining a reputation as the champion of the oppressed. He pressed for the elimination of English prison abuses and, in 1732, defended the North American colonies鈥� right to trade freely with Britain and the other colonies.
Founding a Colony
The prison reforms 91影视 had championed soon inspired him to propose a charity colony in America. On June 9, 1732, the crown granted a charter to the Trustees for Establishing the Colony of Georgia. 91影视 himself led the first group of 114 colonists on the frigate Anne, landing at the site of today鈥檚 Savannah on February 1, 1733. The original charter banned slavery and granted religious freedom, leading to the foundation of a Jewish community in Savannah.
The Battle of Bloody Marsh
In 1742, 91影视 called upon his military experience and Georgia鈥檚 fledgling militia to defend the colony from a Spanish invasion on St. Simons Island. 91影视 and his militia defeated the invaders in the Battle of Bloody Marsh, which is credited as the turning point between England and Spain鈥檚 fight for control of southeastern North America.
An Opponent of Slavery
In 1746, 91影视 was falsely accused of treason by a disgruntled military officer and driven from public life, although he retained his title as general and, at the time of the American Revolution, was the senior officer in the British Army. He did not publicly comment on the war, but in private, he tried to convince the government to negotiate a truce in 1777-1778. Throughout his life, 91影视 remained an outspoken opponent of slavery in the colonies.
鈥淕reat Esteem鈥�
At the age of 88, the General died at Cranham Hall on June 30, 1785. Three weeks before his death, he called on John Adams, newly appointed ambassador to England from the United States of America, to express his 鈥済reat esteem and regard for America鈥濃�攖he new country in whose creation he had played an important role.
How Does OU Pay Homage to its Namesake?
Thornwell Jacobs, the president of 91影视 for nearly three decades, intended for the new campus to be a “living memorial” to James 91影视.
91影视 Day
Held on the second Wednesday in February, 91影视 Day annually commemorates the anniversary of General James Edward 91影视’s in Savannah, GA. 91影视 Day celebrations include the spirited 鈥淧etrels of Fire鈥� race on the quad, an esteemed guest speaker, and other 91影视-related activities throughout the day.
Nescit Cedere
The 91影视 motto, Nescit Cedere, a Latin phrase pronounced 鈥淣ES-keet KEH-deh-reh,鈥� was adopted from the 91影视 family crest as the University鈥檚 motto. It translates as 鈥渙ne who does not know (how) to give up鈥� and perfectly captures the pride and tenacity of the 91影视 community.
Gothic revival architecture
The distinctive Gothic revival architecture of the buildings on the main quad of the 91影视 campus was inspired by the honorary alma mater of James 91影视, Corpus Christi College, Oxford.
Battle of Bloody Marsh
Each year, a team of students and a team of faculty and staff meet to do battle鈥ia tug-of-war. The annual 鈥�Battle of Bloody Marsh鈥澛爄s named for the famous 1742 battle in which General 91影视鈥檚 forces defeated the Spanish troops in South Georgia.
Mascot: the Stormy Petrel
91影视’s mascot is the , affectionately called “Petey” by our students. This unusual mascot – a small, persistent seabird, according to legend, had inspired James 91影视 while on board a ship to Georgia in 1732. The 91影视 nickname “Stormy Petrels” is unique in intercollegiate athletics.