Page:Women of distinction.djvu/138

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WOMEN OF DISTINCTION.

gle, she also goes down with him. The interests of the two are inseparably linked together by a golden chain that makes his destiny her destiny, and certainly his glory should be her glory.

In this condensed presentation of the life and works of Mrs. Josephine Tnrpin Washington the writer has no occasion for any exaggerated description of her. A simple statement of the facts is amply sufficient to tell of her greatness, and especially so when we remember that she has become noted long before reaching the age when scholarship usually ripens into golden fruit. She was born in Goochland county, Va. , July 31, 1861, being the daughter of Augustus A. and Maria V. Turpin. She was always a brilliant little creature, and learned to read quite early under the instruction of a friend of the family. Her parents moved to Richmond when she was vet young where she entered the Public schools and was an attractive pupil, learning readily. She soon entered the High and Normal School, from which she graduated in 1876. From this time up to 1879 or 1880 she was engaged in teaching school, when she entered Richmond Institute, both as a teacher and student. Here she filled her twofold position with credit to herself and satisfaction to all concerned, remaining for three years, during which time she was a faithful, hard-working student. It was here that the writer first came into contact with her in a practical way, as school-mate in the class-room. Her zeal, keen intellect, kind disposition and general scholarship, all combined, did much to stimulate the writer during those three memorable