Individual Details
Rev. Dr. James J. Tompkins
(7 Sep 1870 - 4 May 1952)
http://collections.ic.gc.ca/co-op/n~articl.htm
Dr. J.J. Tompkins, recognized across the continent as one of America's gre
atest adult educators, died at Antigonish on May 4th at the age of 8 2. He was buried among his parishioners at Reserve Mines, his last pastora te.
While a professor at St. Francis Xavier University, where he taught f or 21 years, Dr. Tompkins attended several educational meetings in Europ e. There his contacts and conversations with educators from all over the w orld convinced him of the necessity of some form of adult education for th ose who could not attend college.
His pamphlet "Knowledge For the People," written in 1920, outlined his ide as on a new concept of the university in bringing "some measures of usef ul education to the great majority who stand and must remain outside the w alls of our colleges and academies." The university, he stated, had a du ty to teach them what they most needed to learn, and he had his own ide as as to how they should be taught. "Let there be no trace of superiori ty in our attitude, let the people once think of us as academic persons co me to force our preconceptions upon them and the undertaking is dead."
The Beginning Of A Movement
This remarkable brochure, and the "People's School", sponsored by St.F. X. shortly after, were the fuses that set off the other adult education al activities conducted by the university and eventually led to the establ ishment of the St.F.X. Extension Department in 1929.
Dr. Tompkins soon found himself among top level pioneering adult educato rs in North America. In 1924 he was one of 72 called to New York to s et up the American Association of Adult Educators.
While later serving as a priest at Canso Dr. Tompkins precipitated the Roy al Commission which, in 1927, set out to investigate the condition of t he Fisheries of Eastern Canada. From this probe came the United Maritime F ishermen, organized at the request of the government, by Dr. Coady.
Working through local discussion groups and study clubs he laid the founda tion for the credit unions that now dot the province and at the same ti me broke the ground for the library movement. According to Dr. M.M. Coad y, he is the father of both so far as the Maritime Provinces are concerne d.
Work Widely Recognized
Following his pastorate at Canso, Dr. Tompkins became Parish Priest at Res erve Mines. There the first co-operative housing group in Nova Scotia, nam ed Tompkinsville in his honor, was established. In November, 1951, in t he same town the Tompkins Memorial Library financed by public subscripti on was dedicated as a recognition to his outstanding work in the promoti on of libraries for the people. It was here that he established the People 's Library and the Children's Library while he fought doggedly for region al libraries for the whole of Nova Scotia.
He was honored by Dalhousie University at its Centenary Convocation in 19 19 when that university granted him an honorary doctorate. Harvard Univers ity also awarded him an honorary degree in 1941.
Scores of telegrams testified to the greatness of the frail little pione er who had no understanding of the word defeat: Dr. Robert M. Lester, Secr etary of the Carnegie Corporation of New York, stated:
"The officers of Carnegie Corporation of New York have learned with sorr ow of the death of their long time friend, Dr. J.J. Tompkins. He was one s tanding in vision, vigorous in labor, inspiring to all who knew him. His l ife has produced notable effects on education and society and his deeds wi ll always stand as encouragement and inspiration to all who endeavor to pr omote knowledge and understanding. He was one of the chosen few whose liv es and character and deeds make up that great tradition of human excellen ce which carries mankind forward."
A message from Dr. E. A. Corbett, past head of the Canadian Association f or Adult Education, pays him this tribute:
"Canada today bids a sad farewell to one of her greatest and best belov ed citizens. No one will ever know nor can anyone hope to measure the fu ll impact of his life upon the people of this country. To me just the thou ght of him has been for twenty years a constant inspiration and at the sa me time a check upon overstatement or careless conclusions. The greatest h onor I have ever received was at St. F.X. in 1937 when Dr. Coady to ok me to one side and said quite simply: 'Father Jimmy think you will do .' This was the accolade I needed at the time and it was like being knight ed for the crusades. Now you know all the answers, beloved Father Jimmy. Y ou will be one with that Mystic Body of Christ you used to tell me about e very time we met, I wish I could meet you again. Who know, perhaps I may ."
And from Dr. Benson Y. Landis, Council of Churches of Christ of the U.S.A .: "Many Americans were inspired and blessed by Dr. J.J. Tompkins. He infl uenced college presidents and humble country pastors in our nation as we ll as yours. We were all benefited by his versatile conversations and h is many gifts. He was literally several men in one. His contributions to t he good society will live on in all parts of the world.
From the Canadian Congress of Labor, through its regional director, Hen ry Harm, came this message: "The work of Father Tompkins will contin ue to be an inspiration to all people in society who are prepared to ga in their objective regardless of obstacles. Father Tompkins' life was a ri ch one as he had the opportunity and ability to serve his fellowmen. Organ ized labor in the Maritime region expresses gratitude for his outstandi ng contribution to social reform."
Dr. J.J. Tompkins, recognized across the continent as one of America's gre
atest adult educators, died at Antigonish on May 4th at the age of 8 2. He was buried among his parishioners at Reserve Mines, his last pastora te.
While a professor at St. Francis Xavier University, where he taught f or 21 years, Dr. Tompkins attended several educational meetings in Europ e. There his contacts and conversations with educators from all over the w orld convinced him of the necessity of some form of adult education for th ose who could not attend college.
His pamphlet "Knowledge For the People," written in 1920, outlined his ide as on a new concept of the university in bringing "some measures of usef ul education to the great majority who stand and must remain outside the w alls of our colleges and academies." The university, he stated, had a du ty to teach them what they most needed to learn, and he had his own ide as as to how they should be taught. "Let there be no trace of superiori ty in our attitude, let the people once think of us as academic persons co me to force our preconceptions upon them and the undertaking is dead."
The Beginning Of A Movement
This remarkable brochure, and the "People's School", sponsored by St.F. X. shortly after, were the fuses that set off the other adult education al activities conducted by the university and eventually led to the establ ishment of the St.F.X. Extension Department in 1929.
Dr. Tompkins soon found himself among top level pioneering adult educato rs in North America. In 1924 he was one of 72 called to New York to s et up the American Association of Adult Educators.
While later serving as a priest at Canso Dr. Tompkins precipitated the Roy al Commission which, in 1927, set out to investigate the condition of t he Fisheries of Eastern Canada. From this probe came the United Maritime F ishermen, organized at the request of the government, by Dr. Coady.
Working through local discussion groups and study clubs he laid the founda tion for the credit unions that now dot the province and at the same ti me broke the ground for the library movement. According to Dr. M.M. Coad y, he is the father of both so far as the Maritime Provinces are concerne d.
Work Widely Recognized
Following his pastorate at Canso, Dr. Tompkins became Parish Priest at Res erve Mines. There the first co-operative housing group in Nova Scotia, nam ed Tompkinsville in his honor, was established. In November, 1951, in t he same town the Tompkins Memorial Library financed by public subscripti on was dedicated as a recognition to his outstanding work in the promoti on of libraries for the people. It was here that he established the People 's Library and the Children's Library while he fought doggedly for region al libraries for the whole of Nova Scotia.
He was honored by Dalhousie University at its Centenary Convocation in 19 19 when that university granted him an honorary doctorate. Harvard Univers ity also awarded him an honorary degree in 1941.
Scores of telegrams testified to the greatness of the frail little pione er who had no understanding of the word defeat: Dr. Robert M. Lester, Secr etary of the Carnegie Corporation of New York, stated:
"The officers of Carnegie Corporation of New York have learned with sorr ow of the death of their long time friend, Dr. J.J. Tompkins. He was one s tanding in vision, vigorous in labor, inspiring to all who knew him. His l ife has produced notable effects on education and society and his deeds wi ll always stand as encouragement and inspiration to all who endeavor to pr omote knowledge and understanding. He was one of the chosen few whose liv es and character and deeds make up that great tradition of human excellen ce which carries mankind forward."
A message from Dr. E. A. Corbett, past head of the Canadian Association f or Adult Education, pays him this tribute:
"Canada today bids a sad farewell to one of her greatest and best belov ed citizens. No one will ever know nor can anyone hope to measure the fu ll impact of his life upon the people of this country. To me just the thou ght of him has been for twenty years a constant inspiration and at the sa me time a check upon overstatement or careless conclusions. The greatest h onor I have ever received was at St. F.X. in 1937 when Dr. Coady to ok me to one side and said quite simply: 'Father Jimmy think you will do .' This was the accolade I needed at the time and it was like being knight ed for the crusades. Now you know all the answers, beloved Father Jimmy. Y ou will be one with that Mystic Body of Christ you used to tell me about e very time we met, I wish I could meet you again. Who know, perhaps I may ."
And from Dr. Benson Y. Landis, Council of Churches of Christ of the U.S.A .: "Many Americans were inspired and blessed by Dr. J.J. Tompkins. He infl uenced college presidents and humble country pastors in our nation as we ll as yours. We were all benefited by his versatile conversations and h is many gifts. He was literally several men in one. His contributions to t he good society will live on in all parts of the world.
From the Canadian Congress of Labor, through its regional director, Hen ry Harm, came this message: "The work of Father Tompkins will contin ue to be an inspiration to all people in society who are prepared to ga in their objective regardless of obstacles. Father Tompkins' life was a ri ch one as he had the opportunity and ability to serve his fellowmen. Organ ized labor in the Maritime region expresses gratitude for his outstandi ng contribution to social reform."
Events
| Birth | 7 Sep 1870 | Margaree Forks, Inverness Co., NS, Can. | |||
| Death | 4 May 1952 | Antigonish, NS, Can. | |||
| Alt name | Jimmy | ||||
| Reference No | 12459 |
Families
| Father | John Nick Tompkins (1840 - 1935) |
| Mother | Judith Coady (1842 - 1879) |
| Sibling | Living |
| Sibling | Living |
| Sibling | Nicholas Tompkins (1869 - ) |
| Sibling | Christopher Tompkins (1872 - 1983) |
| Sibling | Vincent Tompkins (1874 - 1928) |
| Sibling | Sarah Agnes Tompkins (1874 - 1874) |