History

The Thomas F. Jeffress and Kate Miller Jeffress Memorial Trust was established under the will of Mr. Robert M. Jeffress, a business executive and philanthropist of Richmond, Virginia.

Mr. Jeffress had a deep interest in his native state, and he made large contributions during his life in support of scientific research in the Commonwealth of Virginia. His interest in scientific matters stemmed largely from his close association with his brother-in-law, Allan Talbott Gwathmey, former Professor of Chemistry at the University of Virginia. Dr. Gwathmey was the guiding spirit in the establishment of the Virginia Institute for Scientific Research, an organization devoted to fundamental research in the natural sciences. Mr. Jeffress was a founder and the principal benefactor of the Institute, and he served as Chairman of its Board of Trustees for many years.

Grants from the Trust, which is administered by [Bank of America] are awarded on the advice of an Allocations Committee specified in his will. The Committee is composed of five Virginia residents appointed for a limited term by one of the following organizations: The Virginia Academy of Science, The Medical Society of Virginia, The Executive Committee of the Bar Association of the City of Richmond, The Virginia State Chamber of Commerce, and [Bank of America], the Trustee.