Mark B. Hardin Papers

Collection

Identifier: MS-0440

Staff Only

The Mark B. Hardin papers contain twenty letters. The bulk of the correspondence was written by Hardin to his siblings, Susan Lane Hardin and John Haywood Hardin, during the period 1864-1899. In addition to family and personal news, the letters touch on various aspects of Hardin's career (Civil War service, VMI Faculty member).

Dates

1849-1899; 1947

Creator

Hardin, Mark B. (Mark Bernard), 1838-1916 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions.

Use Restrictions

Manuscript Collections in the VMI Archives are made available for noncommercial educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information.

Extent

20 items

Additional Description

Biographical / Historical

Mark Bernard "Bunny" Hardin, son of Lauriston Bonaparte Hardin and Anna M. H. Hooe, was born at Alexandria, Virginia on August 14, 1838. He entered the Virginia Military Institute on September 7, 1854 and graduated on July 4, 1858, standing first in his class. Following graduation he joined the faculty at VMI, teaching Chemistry and other subjects until the beginning of the Civil War. Hardin served with the 33rd and 9th Virginia Infantry Regiments and with the 18th Battalion Virginia Heavy Artillery. He was captured at Sayler's Creek on April 6, 1865 and held at Old Capitol and Johnson's Island prisons. He was released on oath July 3 (some records say June 27) 1865. Following the war, Hardin established an analytical chemistry business in New York City, where he resided until July 1867. He accepted a position as Professor of Chemistry at his alma mater, VMI, in the summer of 1867, and remained at the Institute until September 1890. From September 1890 until 1910 he taught at Clemson University. Hardin married Mary Massie Payne of Warrenton, Virginia, on August 4, 1869. The couple had 8 children (4 sons and 4 daughters). He died at Clemson, South Carolina, on April 26, 1916. He is buried at the Old Stone Church Cemetery, Clemson.