F. S. Sampson

Sampson was born in Dover Mills, Virginia to Richard Sampson, an eminent and respected agriculturist.[3] He began studying theology in 1830 under his maternal uncle, Rev. Thornton Rogers of Albemarle.[3] Sampson continued his studies at the University of Virginia, enrolling on September 10, 1831, and graduating with the rare, prestigious degree of M.A. in July 1836.[3] In November of that year, Sampson enrolled at the Union Theological Seminary then in Hampden Sydney, Virginia where he became a teacher of Hebrew in 1838 and licensed by the East Hanover Presbytery in October 1839, and ordained by the same Presbytery in October 1941.[3]

Sampson was appointed as the Acting President of Hampden–Sydney College at the end of 1847 and served in that role until September 1848 when Charles Martin replaced him.[2] In July 1848, Sampson traveled to Europe to develop and practice his theology, returning in August 1849, having spent the year primarily at the University of Halle and University of Berlin.[4] In October 1848, he was elected professor of oriental literature and languages in the Seminary and soon thereafter received his honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Hampden–Sydney College.[4]