James H. Dillard

James H. Dillard (1856–1940) was born on October 24, 1856, in Nansemond County, Virginia, to James and Sara Brownrigg (Cross) Dillard, who were slaveholders. He attended Washington and Lee University and taught as an assistant professor of mathematics there from 1876 to 1877. He then served as principal of the Rodman School in Norfolk, Virginia, for five years, followed by another five years overseeing Norfolk Academy. From 1887 to 1891, Dillard was principal of the Mary Institute at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.

In 1913, he moved to Charlottesville, Virginia, where he spent the remainder of his career advocating for educational opportunities for African Americans and was affiliated with the University of Virginia. Dr. James H. Dillard is buried in Riverview Cemetery in Charlottesville.