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\IRGINIA BIOGRAPHY
tion ; Association for the Preservation of
Virginia Antiquities, and a member of its
advisory board ; Confederate Memorial Lit-
erary Society (Confederate Museum, Rich-
mond, Virginia) ; Southern Historical So-
ciety ; Virginia Historical Society, and a
member of its executive committee ; Vir-
ginia Society of Sons of the Revolution ;
Westmoreland Club and Business Men's
Club, of Richmond ; and is a member of the
following fraternal organizations of the Uni-
versity of Virginia : Alpha Tau Omega, na-
tional ; Delta Chi, national ; Theta Nu Ep-
silon, national ; the Skull and Kevs Society,
local; the O. F. C. Society, local; the "Z",
local; the T. 1. L. K. A. Society, local, and
was the founder of the Lambda Pi, academic
fraternity (local). He is the author of "A
Map Showing Virginia Anticjuities," pub-
lished in 1901 ; "The Evolution of Mason
and Dixon Line" (pamphlet), published in
1902 ; "The Burning of the Rotunda," Uni-
versity of Virginia (pamphlet), published
in 1905 ; "Concerning the Boyson Essay and
its Defence," (pamphlet) published in 1909;
and "A Complete Index to Stith's History
of Virginia," published in 1912. He resides
at No. 113 South Third street, Richmond,
V^irginia.
Richard Lee Simpson, D. D. S. Dr. Rich- ard Lee Simpson, the noted dental surgeon of Richmond. Virginia, who has achieved a reputation which would do honor to a man greatly his senior in point of years, is still a comparatively young man. He is, however, one of that class of men who know the value of time, and never allow a minute to pass unused. This was a trait which characterized him from early youth, and its cultivation has enabled him to accomplish seemingly impossible amounts of work.
J. Charlton Simpson, his father, was of Scotch-Irish descent, a builder by occupa- tion, and made an especial study of mathe- matics and mechanics. He married Sarah Elizabeth Backensto, who was of Spanish descent, and died at an early age. Mrs. J. F. Hickok took charge of Dr. Simpson after the death of his mother, and to her loving care and training Dr. Simpson gives credit for any success which he has attained.
Richard Lee Simpson, D. D. S., was born in Mncastle, Botetourt county, Virginia, April 21, 1873. His education was acquired at public and private schools in his native
town, and this he supplemented by home
study and diligent reading, being more fond
o books than of sports which would take
him from them. Drawing, wood-carving
and the invention of little mechanical de-
vices also absorbed much of his time and
attention during his boyhood days. In 1889
he became a student at the preparatory
school, Montvale, Virginia, conducted by
Professor Charles B. Tate, being graduated
from this in 1891, and receiving a scholar-
ship which enabled him to attend the Wash-
ington and Lee University, at Lexington,
Virginia, 1891 and 1892, and there he dis-
tinguished himself by his work in the Latin
and Physiological departments. He next
taught school for one year at Laymantown.
Virginia, and from 1893 to 1896 studied in
the dental department of the University of
Maryland, at Baltimore. In the seven prize
contests open to him at this institution he
carried off three first prizes and three sec-
ond prizes, one of them being for the highest
class standing in a class of fifty-four mem-
bers.
Immediately after his graduation Dr. Simpson established himself in the practice of his profession in Fincastle, at the same time continuing his studies along this line in an earnest and practical manner. By means of papers, clinics, and discussions before various dental associations in the United States and Canada, he aroused and stimu- lated interest in dental problems. Many of his papers have been published and have had a wide circulation, and are regarded as authoritative. One of them was translated and published in a French magazine, in Paris, and one at Rio De Janiero, Brazil. In 1903 Dr. Simpson was elected a member of the Virginia State Board of Dental Exam- iners, and filled that office until 1905, wheu he was chosen professor of dental surgery, crown and bridge work, in the University College of Medicine, at Richmond, now the Medical College of Virginia, and at the pres- ent time (1915) is filling the chair of clinical dentistry. Dr. Simpson was instrumental in re-organizing the University College of Medicine School of Dentistry, and when this was consolidated with the Medical College of V^irginia in 191 3, he was elected chairman (dean) of the School of Dentistry, and con- tinues to hold that office. At the centennial of Maryland University in 1907, the honor- ary degree of Master of Arts was conferred
