1
Expecting gratitude for a gift is... unseemly.Jack Caldwell
2
I think lots of things, Denny, and I dismiss nothing. When I know, then I'll act.Jack Caldwell
3 Quotes & Sayings By Jack Caldwell
Jack Caldwell was born in Chicago, Illinois on September 25, 1799. He attended the University of Michigan and began teaching at the University of Richmond at age 26. Three years later he joined the faculty of West Point Military Academy as its first professor of mathematics. In 1828 he was appointed commander of the Corps of Engineers and served in that capacity for four years
In 1830 he returned to West Point as superintendent and remained in that position until 1837. Caldwell then served as superintendent of West Point from 1839 to 1847 and again from 1855 to 1861. Throughout his tenure at West Point, Caldwell was a strong proponent of the abolitionist cause and helped finance John Brown’s raid on Harper’s Ferry.
He also donated land for a slave hospital and paid the medical expenses of two slaves who died after being captured during the raid. In 1861, President Lincoln appointed him chief engineer of the Department of War, where he served until his death on March 16, 1878.