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History of G. Burke Johnston

Dr. G. Burke Johnston came to Virginia Tech in 1930 as an instructor in English. He served as the Dean of Applied Science and Business Administration from 1950 - 1961 and was then appointed Dean of Science and General Studies from 1961 - 1963. Additionally, Dr. Johnston was instrumental in establishing the College of Arts and Sciences and served as the first Dean from 1963 - 1966. Dr. Johnston and his wife, Mary Tabb, once resided in living quarters, which were located near the current site of Johnston Student Center.

G. Burke Johnston, also known as the "Renaissance Man" because of his classical studies and because of the variety of his artistic talents (poetry writing, sculpting, and painting), continued practicing his myriad of skills until illness no longer allowed him to do so. The "White Rhinoceros" was the title of one of his poems and the name of his printing press, on which he manually set type and printed his own books, cards, and other items. Johnston was once quoted as saying, "I try to teach with everything I do, using my poetry, painting, sculpture, and printing." From all accounts, this was his primary philosophy and what he practiced throughout his life. As a professor, he would often bring his artwork to class in order to give his students "a visual picture as well as a verbal one." The subjects of his work ranged from a sculpture of Shakespeare's King Lear to a black walnut woodcarving of J.R.R. Tolkien's Bilbo Baggins. He used his imagination to take him beyond where authors left off. For example, one of his woodcarvings brought to life a dragon only mentioned in passing - "even the fire of Ancalagon the Black was not hot enough to melt the rings" - by Tolkien in "Lord of the Rings". He published two books of his own poetry, "Reflections" and "Banked Fire".

Although Burke Johnston said that his first love was teaching, his artwork was an important part of his life since the time of his childhood. He started sculpture at a young age, took up poetry in college, and became interested in printing as a professor at Virginia Tech.

G. Burke Johnston passed away in January of 1995 after a brief illness.

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