Jonathan Maxcy
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President of Brown University | |
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In office 1792–1802 | |
Preceded by | James Manning |
Succeeded by | Asa Messer |
3rd President of Union College | |
In office 1802–1804 | |
1st President of the University of South Carolina | |
In office 1804–1820 | |
Succeeded by | Thomas Cooper |
Personal details | |
Born | University president | September 2, 1768
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Jonathan Maxcy (September 2, 1768 – June 4, 1820) was an American
Early life
Maxcy was born 2 Sep 1768, in the town of
Baptist ministry
In 1790, Maxcy was licensed to preach by
Race and Slavery
While unclear whether Macxy himself owned slaves or took a position on slavery, the Maxcys were said to have been sympathetic towards slavery as Jonathan Maxcy's father Levi owned at least one slave. Maxcy also held close relationships with a number of prominent southern slave owners, including Furman, leading many to believe he defended the great american evil.[4]
Brown University presidency
In 1789, Maxcy was elected a trustee of and appointed professor of divinity at Brown. In 1792, at only 24 years of age, he was elected president pro tempore of the College of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations, now Brown University, and therefore resigned as pastor of First Baptist Church. He was formally elected president of the college in 1797 after which he served until 1802.
Professor Romeo Elton wrote of the Maxcy presidency at Brown:
The University over which he presided with distinguished honor to himself and benefit to the public, flourished under his administration, and his fame was extended over every section of the Union. The splendor of his genius, and his brilliant talents as an orator and a divine, were seen and admired by all. ... Under his administration the College acquired a reputation for belles-lettres and eloquence inferior to no seminary of learning in the United States. His pupils saw in him an admirable model for their imitation, and the influence of his pure and cultivated taste was seen in their literary performances. Though destitute of funds, and patronage from the legislature of the state, guided by his genius and wisdom, the College flourished and diffused its light over every part of the country. ... Dr. Maxcy was one of the most learned men which our country has produced. Criticism, metaphysics, politics, morals, and theology all occupied his attention. His stores of knowledge were immense, and he had at all times the command over them.[5]
Union College presidency
In 1801, Jonathan Edwards Jr., the second president of Union College in Schenectady, New York, died and Maxcy succeeded him as its third president.
University of South Carolina presidency
Maxcy left Union College in 1804 to become the first president of the South Carolina College, now the University of South Carolina, where he remained until his death on June 4, 1820.
Honors and memorials
While president of Brown, Maxcy received the honorary degree of
Personal life
On 27 August 1791, Maxcy married Susanna Hopkins, daughter of Commodore Esek Hopkins and niece of former Royal Governor of Rhode Island and first Brown University chancellor Stephen Hopkins of Providence. They had at least 3 daughters and 4 sons.
See also
References
- ^ Jonathan Maxcy, Romeo Elton, The Literary Remains of the Rev. Jonathan Maxcy, 1844, page 29
- ISBN 9781139827638.
- ISBN 9781139827638.
- ^ "Jonathan Maxcy: A New England Baptist in the Old South". 17 May 2021.
- ^ "Encyclopedia Brunoniana | Maxcy, Jonathan".
- ^ Union College Online Encyclopedia article Jonathan Maxcy
External links
- Jonathan Maxcy at Find a Grave
- Biography in the Encyclopedia Brunoniana
- Brown University's John Hay Library
- Biography from Union College
- Works by Maxcy
- Furman University's Special Collection on Baptists Archived 2010-06-12 at the Wayback Machine
- Baptist Identity and Christian Higher Education, monograph by Donald D. Schmeltekopf and Dianna M. Vitanza