Timothy Dwight

1752-1817

Born: May 14, 1752, Northampton, Massachusetts. Died: January 11, 1817, New Haven, Connecticut. Buried: Grove Street Cemetery, New Haven, Connecticut.

Dwight was a man for all seasons: an ordained Congregational minister, grandson of preacher Jonathan Edwards, personal friend of American President George Washington, and Army chaplain. He began reading the Bible at age four, and secretly learned Latin despite his father’s prohibition. In 1785, he published the 11-volume Conquest of Canaan. In 1787, he received a Doctor of Divinity degree from Princeton University. In 1795, he became president of Yale University (where, like his grandfather Jonathan Edwards, he matriculated at age 13). He helped found Andover Theological Seminary—the first seminary in New England—in 1809. Dwight died of cancer after serving as president of Yale University for 22 years.

Hymns:

1. As Down a Lone Valley
2. I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord
3. Shall Man, O God of Love and Light
4. While Life Prolongs Its Precious Light