History of Bedford, (Middlesex County) Massachusetts United States of America

Our database does not include an historic photo for Bedford, (Middlesex County) Massachusetts, do you have one you would like to contribute? Contact Us!

Biographies:

The Biography of William Augustus Stearns

William Augustus Stearns, educator, was born in Bedford, Mass., March 17, 1805; son of the Rev. Samuel Stearns, pastor of the Congregational church in Bedford, for forty years. He attended Philips academy, Andover, Mass; was graduated from Harvard, A.B., 1827, A.M., 1830, and from Andover Theological seminary in 1831. He was ordained to the Congregational ministry, Dec. 14, 1831; was pastor of the Prospect Street church, Cambridgeport, Mass., 1831?54, and was chosen president of Amherst college in 1854, to succeed the Rev. Edward Hitchcock, resigned, administering the affairs of the college until his death. He was an overseer of Harvard college, 1848?54; a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and a member of the Massachusetts Historical society. The honorary degree of S.T.D. was conferred upon him by Harvard in 1853, and that of LL.D. by the College of New Jersey in 1862. He is the author of: Infant Church Membership (1844); Infant Church Members' Guide (1845); Life and Select Discourses of the Rev. Samuel H. Stearns (1846); Discourses and Addresses (1855); and A Plea for the Nation, posthumous (1876). He died in Amherst, Mass., June 8, 1876.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor