Professors of Alabama: William Jasper Callan

William Jasper Callan (b. August 8, 1831; d. March 21, 1890)

North Carolina.  White.
Education: Cumberland University (A.B., A.M.)
Occupation: school teacher

William J. Callan (often misspelled "Callans" or "Callens") was born in Cabarrus County, North Carolina to James Alexander and Mary Melissa Callan. When he was young, the family moved to Alabama, and his parents set-up a farm in Cherokee County. 

William left the family farm in the 1850s to attend Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tennessee. He received an A.B. degree in 1856 and then an honorary A.M. degree the next year.

Cumberland University was affiliated with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and after receiving his degree, he began working as church preacher in Alabama.

In summer 1868, William was elected professor of rhetoric and oratory at the University of Alabama. Although William was a southerner and reportedly a democrat, he was not spared the barbs of Ryland Randolph's newspaper. William arrived in town on Friday January 22, 1869, and Ryland announced the event in an article titled "Callans has come!" He mocked William's education, claiming that he notified the university regents that he had accepted the professorship by sending a letter that read "I ercept the siterwation." More threateningly, Ryland said that the "Supsey-swampers [local Ku Kluxers] were already on his track." Despite the threat, William served in the position until 1870. 

After leaving the university, William moved to Sulpher Springs in Dekalb County and set-up his own school. The school was successful, and he remained in Sulpher Springs until his death in 1890.

Sources

1) History of Alabama and Dictionary of Alabama Biography

Volume 3

2) Year: 1880; Census Place: Beat 12, DeKalb, Alabama; Roll: 12; Page: 531C; Enumeration District: 051

3) The National Archives in Washington D.C.; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M432; Residence Date: 1850; Home in 1850: District 26, Cherokee, Alabama; Roll: 3; Page: 28a