He had a magnetic personality, an unyielding belief in the value of education for both white and black, and the temperament and gifts of the orator.

As a Southerner, he could speak more freely and more effectively to the people than his predecessor, who had done the pioneer work.

During the years of his service, Curry therefore gave himself chiefly to the development of public sentiment, making speeches at every opportunity before societies, conventions, and other gatherings.

As he himself said, he addressed legislatures "from the Potomac to the Rio Grande." While the influence of the Peabody Fund and its agents was large, it was not the only influence upon the educational development of the South.
There were throughout that section men who saw clearly that the main hope centered in education for black and white.

They talked in season and out, though sometimes with little apparent result, for the opposing forces were strong.