The Professor’s Punishment: A Glimpse into the Disciplining of the Late Professor W.H. Herrington

In 1896, a shocking tale of discipline and punishment emerged from Amelia County, Virginia. Professor W.H. Herrington, a renowned educator with a knack for managing his students, had a unique approach to meting out justice. According to one of his former pupils, now a prominent lawyer in Richmond, the professor’s method of punishment was not one of punishment at all, but rather one of delayed consequence.

As the lawyer recalled, ‘He wasn’t for ever nagging us, but as some of us learned by experience, he let the punishment fit the crime.’ This philosophy of discipline is a far cry from the traditional methods of the time, and one that would have been seen as innovative by many of his contemporaries.

The lawyer went on to share a story that would illustrate the professor’s unorthodox approach. It was a story that would leave even the most hardened of souls with a renewed sense of respect for the late Professor Herrington.

‘So said one of his former pupils,’ the lawyer continued, ‘who wished to remain anonymous, ‘the professor’s method of discipline was not to be trifled with. One day, I made a mistake in my studies and was caught by the professor. He did not scold me or punish me immediately, but instead, he let the consequence of my actions play out over time.’

The consequences of that mistake, however, were dire. The student’s academic career suffered as a result of his inaction, and it was only through his own efforts that he was able to recover from the setback. It was a harsh lesson, one that would stay with him for the rest of his life.

The lawyer’s tale serves as a testament to the late Professor Herrington’s innovative approach to discipline and punishment. In an era where corporal punishment was the norm, the professor’s methods were seen as revolutionary. And yet, they were not without their consequences. As the lawyer so aptly put it, ‘let the punishment fit the crime’ was a philosophy that would stay with him long after he left the professor’s classroom.