Sarah N. Randolph

Sarah Nicholas Randolph (October 12, 1839 – April 25, 1892) was an American educator, school principal, historian, and an author. She wrote The Domestic Life of Thomas Jefferson and The Life of General Thomas J. Jackson.

Early life

Sarah Nicholas Randolph was born on October 12, 1839, at Edge Hill, Albemarle County, Virginia. She was the daughter of Jane Hollins Nicholas and Thomas Jefferson Randolph. Her great grandfather was Thomas Jefferson. Her father accepted the debts of Thomas Jefferson's estate, which greatly impaired his ability to support his family. He was a farmer and politician, drafting a bill for the gradual emancipation of enslaved people, before the American Civil War. It was not enacted. His financial circumstances worsened during the war.

Educator

Randolph, her mother, and her sisters, Carolina Wayles Randolph, Ellen Wayes Randolph Harrison, and Mary Buchanan Randolph ran the Edge Hill School for Girls. The school was established in 1836 by Jane Nicholas Randolph, Randolph's mother. In 1869, after her mother died and following the end of the American Civil War, the school was re-opened and managed by Randolph and her sister, Mary B. Randolph. As the school grew, a frame house on the estate was used for music and art classes. The school had a good reputation, known for its academic program as well as instilling character in the girls. In 1879, she moved to the Ellicott Mills, Maryland, area, where she was the principal of the Patapsco Institute. She established the Miss Randolph's School of Girls in Baltimore in 1884. She ran the school until her death. It was located at Eutaw Place and Lanvale Street. The school continued on after her death as The Sarah Randolph School, which was operated by the principal A. L. Armstrong.