Records of Superintendent William H. Cocke, 1924-1929

Sub-Group

Identifier: RG-02-04-CockeWH

Staff Only

Correspondence, memoranda and other records from the administration of William H. Cocke.

Dates

Majority of material found within 1924 - 1929

Creator

Cocke, William H. (William Horner), 1874-1938 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions

Extent

6 cubic feet

Additional Description

Biographical / Historical

Brigadier General William Horner Cocke (b. 1874 d. 1938) graduated from VMI in 1894, having received the Institute's highest academic award, the Jackson-Hope Medal, First Honor. After graduation he taught at Kemper Military Academy (Missouri), earned a law degree from Washington University and practiced law in St. Louis from 1899-1907. Cocke served as a U. S. Army officer in both the Spanish-American War and World War I. He was the founder and president of Southern Acid & Sulphur Company (St. Louis). He was named VMI's fourth Superintendent on October 1, 1924 and served until ill health forced his retirement on June 30, 1929. The construction of VMI's gymnasium, Cocke Hall, was made possible by Gen. Cocke's significant donation towards the cost of construction. He died on June 9, 1938.