“There is nothing more worthwhile or of more lasting benefit than the development and preservation of a love for Jesus Christ.”
J. Bulow Campbell
Since the creation of the J. Bulow Campbell Foundation in 1940, the Board has used the principles set forth in Mr. Campbell’s Will as the most reliable source available to determine how best to reflect and honor his personal philosophy and his wishes for the perpetual stewardship of the funds he provided. The Foundation’s trustees also refer to what others knew about Mr. Campbell, drawing from numerous first-hand accounts, including those of his beloved daughter, Virginia Campbell Courts (1906–1995). Many of Mr. Campbell’s personal attributes are well-documented.
Mr. Campbell’s philosophy of life was rooted in an abiding faith in Jesus Christ and the authority of the Bible, and his ethical standards were unaffected by contemporary associations or circumstances. He was careful, frugal and industrious. While it is known that he was a modest person, never seeking recognition, the following selected passages, collected from various histories and memoirs about Mr. Campbell, provide insight to his character and approach to life, business, and philanthropy:
“Mr. Campbell had a keen sense of values: material, human and spiritual. He knew the interdependence of these values. He knew that to achieve stability and permanence, material values must be sustained and supported by spiritual values. Upon the foundation of such qualities, his success in life was built.”
— John A. Sibley, Trustee of the Campbell Foundation from 1946–1957
“In all of his educational interests, Mr. Campbell believed in thorough business-like policies. He insisted on strict accounting and balanced budgets. He insisted on getting competitive bids for important items.”
— Dr. J. Ross McCain, original Trustee of the Campbell Foundation from 1940–1951, and President of Agnes Scott College from 1923–1951
“Although Mr. Campbell did not have a college degree, his own scholarly instincts led him to feel a deep concern for the development of strong educational institutions in Georgia and in the South, and he was convinced that only as these institutions were equipped to provide the right type of leadership could the economic, social and political problems of his native section [the South] be solved.”
— Dr. James McDowell Richards, President of Columbia Theological Seminary from 1932–1971
The Campbell Family
Laura Berry Campbell (right)
Martha Berry and Virginia Campbell Courts
Mr. Campbell’s wife, Laura Berry Campbell, was Martha Berry’s sister. Martha Berry founded Berry College in Rome, Georgia in 1902.
The Campbells had one child, Virginia Orme Campbell. She married Richard Winn Courts in 1952. She died in 1995. She served as both Vice-Chair and Chair of the Foundation and, through her mother’s and her own estates, significantly enlarged the Foundation’s assets.
Mr. Campbell has no remaining descendants.