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A BJA Profile -
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Born in 1853, John Floyd Collins received a “classical education” in his home state of Alabama. At 16 his family moved to Tennessee. He became a farmer, was saved and began what he called the “glorious adventure in spiritual discovery” and the “Victorious Life.” He completed his education at West Tennessee University and began teaching. In 1896, he married Ruby Purcell, and they had four sons.
During Collins’s fifty years in education, he taught Latin, Greek, and literature and served as principal of various schools. Known as a Southern gentleman and a passionate speaker who “elevated conversation to an art,” he possessed “the very soul of chivalry and gallantry.” He was a prolific writer on religious topics, especially against Modernism. He memorized large portions of Scripture and was described as having “unimpeachable character” and “a transparent soul.” At 74 years old, he contacted Jones, Sr., asking if there was a position he could fill at the new college. He was offered the position of principal of the Preparatory Department. Declining health forced him to relinquish the principal’s chair after one year, but he continued to teach Latin and English, handled the discipline of the young men in the military school, and served as co-editor and contributor to the Bob Jones Magazine. In Florida the combined BJC and BJA faculty numbered about 12. Most were young and relatively inexperienced. Collins’ traditional educational approach was appreciated by Jones, Sr., and his expertise was respected by the faculty. In 1931, he received the honorary degree Doctor of Literature from BJC as illness forced his retirement. As Collins left, he donated his extensive collection to help to establish the BJC library. He wrote to Jones, Sr. requesting that the person who shelved his books look through them “to find an autographed letter of Jefferson Davis, which I prize very highly, and which I have put away so securely that we can’t find it.” Jones wrote back that they would look, but it was never found. Collins died at his Alabama home in 1932. In 1977, BJA honored its first principal by naming one of the four main Quadrangle buildings after him. |
In a 1932 letter, just prior to the financial collapse of the school, Jones, Sr. wrote a note of encouragement to the dying Collins: "The prospects for our institution are brighter than they have ever been. We have more students signed up than we ever had signed up before. The Lord is certainly with us. . . . Remember when you get on the other side that you had a large part in the foundation of this institution. . . which we believe will go on to the ends of the earth. Nothing can stop it. All opposition is breaking down.” |
Information about J. Floyd Collins is also found in:
- The Founding of BJC and BJA - Why Found A School
- BJA in Florida
- Student Life in Florida
