DUNCAN, James Armstrong, clergyman, born in Norfolk, Virginia, 14 April 1830; died in Ashland, Virginia, 23 September 1877. His father, David Duncan, was a graduate of the University of Glasgow, immigrated to the United States, and for forty years was professor of ancient languages in Randolph-Macon College, Virginia, and at Oxford, S.C. James was graduated at Randolph-Macon in 1849, and joined the Virginia conference of the Methodist Church. During the civil war he was pastor of the Broad Street Church in Richmond, Virginia, and throughout this period preserved a conservative attitude, never permitting politics to enter into his religious discussions, and endeavoring in every way, after the struggle, to promote good feeling between the sections. From 1868 until his death he was president of Randolph-Macon College. Dr. Duncan was a leader in the councils of his Church. For many years he was editor of "The Richmond Christian Advocate."

His brother, William Wallace Duncan, clergyman, born in Ashland, Virginia, 20 December 1839, was graduated at Randolph-Macon College in 1858, joined the Virginia conference the next year, and held several important charges. During the civil war he was a chaplain in the Confederate army. In 1875 Mr. Duncan was transferred to the South Carolina conference, and elected professor of mental and moral philosophy in Wofford College. He was a member of the general conferences of 1878, 1882, and 1886, and a delegate to the oecumenical council in London in 1881. The degree of D.D. was conferred on him in 1882 by Emory College, Georgia, and by Central College, Mo. In May 1886, he was elected bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church south. He resides in Spartanburgh, S. C.