Lyman Beecher

Lyman Beecher - Clergyman, Family and Childhood

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Lyman Beecher's Personal Details

Lyman Beecher was an American Presbyterian clergyman, reformer and revivalist who co-founded the American Temperance Society

InformationDetail
BirthdayOctober 12, 1775
Died onJanuary 10, 1863
NationalityAmerican
FamousYale University, Miscellaneous, Preachers, Pastors, Clergyman
SpousesHarriet Beecher, Lydia Beecher, Roxana Beecher
ChildrensHarriet Beecher Stowe, Henry Ward Beecher
Universities
  • Yale University
  • Yale Divinity School
  • Yale University
Notable Alumnis
  • Yale University
Founder / Co-Founder
  • Lane Theological Seminary
  • American Temperance Society
Birth PlaceNew Haven
GenderMale
Sun SignLibra
Born inNew Haven
Famous asClergyman
Died at Age87

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Lyman Beecher's photo

Who is Lyman Beecher?

Lyman Beecher was an American Presbyterian clergyman, reformer and revivalist who co-founded the American Temperance Society. Born in Connecticut to a blacksmith, Beecher was adopted and raised by an uncle on a farm, and later graduated from the Yale University in theology. Upon being ordained as a pastor in 1799, he preached in the Presbyterian Church at East Hampton, Long Island, then at a church in Connecticut, and later at Boston. Meanwhile, he also issued a series of sermons against dueling and intemperance, which greatly aided temperance reform, and later also served as a co-founder of the American Temperance Society. While serving its pastorate, Beecher opposed the growing dissent of Unitarianism and after being accused of being a modern Calvinist, he was also tried for heresy but was cleared. In the meantime, he became the president of the newly established Lane Theological Seminary in Cincinnati, Ohio, and also served as a pastor until 1843. Upon resigning from the seminary, Beecher lived in Boston for a short time, devoting himself to literature. Thrice married, Beecher had a large family consisting of 13 children of which his seven sons became Congregational ministers, and two of his daughters attained literary distinction. Afterwards, Beecher moved at the home of his son in New York, where he spent the last years of his life. With a magnetic persona and an incisive style of expression, Beecher is still considered to be one of the most powerful American orators of his time.

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Childhood & Early Life

Lyman Beecher was born on October 12, 1775, in New Haven, Connecticut, U.S., to David Beecher, a blacksmith, and his wife, Esther Hawley Lyman. Shortly after Lyman’s birth, his mother died and Lyman was adopted by his uncle, Lol Benton.

Although raised on a farm by his uncle and aunt, Lyman had little interest in agriculture and wanted to study. In 1793, he was enrolled at the Yale University, graduating with a degree in theology in 1797.

While studying, he was much influenced by the religious beliefs of the college president, Timothy Dwight, a poet and a Congressionalist clergyman. In 1798, Lyman attended the Yale Divinity School under Dwight who advocated a view of religious life as an active pursuit of a godly social order.

Career

In 1799, Beecher was ordained as clergyman of the Presbyterian Church at East Hampton, Long Island, New York and subsequently established himself as a moral reformer.

While serving as a pastor in Long Island, he proved himself to be an effective preacher and revivalist. In the meantime, Beecher also initiated a campaign and published sermon against the practice of dueling.

In 1810, he accepted the post of minister at the Congregational Church of Litchfield, in Connecticut, serving for the next 16 years. During this period, he influenced a large number of people in the battle to defend Calvinism and also emerged as a leading voice in the temperance movement, publishing ‘Six Sermons on Intemperance’.

Impressed by his evangelization in defense of orthodox Christianity against Unitarianism in Connecticut, Beecher was invited to Boston and was appointed a pastor of the Hanover Street Congregational Church, Boston, in 1826.

While in Boston, Beecher maintained his reputation for defending orthodoxy against Unitarianism, raising his voice against liberals and Unitarians. Meanwhile, he also edited a monthly named the Spirit of the Pilgrims which also contributed in his efforts to induce spiritual awakening in the public.

In 1832, he accepted the presidential ship of the newly founded Lane Theological Seminary in Cincinnati, Ohio, a position he retained until 1850. In addition to it, he was appointed the professor of sacred theology, and also served as the pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church of Cincinnati.

In 1835, he published a book titled ‘A Plea for the West’ in which he articulated the sense of determination he felt in moving to Cincinnati in 1832.

Beecher’s defense of Calvinist orthodoxy was deemed too liberal by the western conservative Presbyterians and as a result, Beecher was tried twice for heresy but subsequently acquitted of the charges.

In 1843, Beecher ended his preaching career and eventually took retirement from the Lane Seminary in 1850. He spent the final years of his life at the home of his son, Henry Ward Beecher, in New York.

Major Works

Lyman Beecher was one of the most influential Presbyterian clergymen and a noteworthy reformer of his time who served as a pastor for most of his life, trying to defend Calvinist orthodoxy against Unitarianism. He was a profound revivalist who raised his voice against dueling and intemperance, and subsequently co-founded the American Temperance Society in 1826. He was also a prolific writer who authored several important literary works including the ‘Plea for the West’ (1935).

Personal Life & Legacy

In 1799, Beecher married Roxana Foote, and the couple had nine children; six sons, William, Edward, Tommy, George, Henry Ward, and Charles, and three daughters named Catharine, Mary and Harriet Elizabeth. Roxana died in September 1816.

In 1817, he tied the knot with Harriet Porter, and fathered four more children; Frederick, Isabella Holmes, Thomas Kinnicut, and James Chaplin. After Harriet’s death in July 1835, Beecher wedded Lydia Beals, who was previously married to Joseph Jackson. The couple had no children together.

Most of his children became important figures in American religious history including Henry Ward, a clergyman and social reformer; Catharine, a leader in the women’s education movement; Harriet Beecher, an American abolitionist and author, and Isabella Beecher, an activist.

Lyman Beecher died on January 10, 1863, in Brooklyn, New York, U.S., at the age of 87. He was interred at the Grove Street Cemetery, in New Haven, Connecticut.

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Lyman Beecher biography timelines

  • // 12th Oct 1775
    Lyman Beecher was born on October 12, 1775, in New Haven, Connecticut, U.S., to David Beecher, a blacksmith, and his wife, Esther Hawley Lyman. Shortly after Lyman’s birth, his mother died and Lyman was adopted by his uncle, Lol Benton.
  • // 1793 To 1797
    Although raised on a farm by his uncle and aunt, Lyman had little interest in agriculture and wanted to study. In 1793, he was enrolled at the Yale University, graduating with a degree in theology in 1797.
  • // 1798
    While studying, he was much influenced by the religious beliefs of the college president, Timothy Dwight, a poet and a Congressionalist clergyman. In 1798, Lyman attended the Yale Divinity School under Dwight who advocated a view of religious life as an active pursuit of a godly social order.
  • // 1799
    In 1799, Beecher was ordained as clergyman of the Presbyterian Church at East Hampton, Long Island, New York and subsequently established himself as a moral reformer.
  • // 1799 To Sep 1816
    In 1799, Beecher married Roxana Foote, and the couple had nine children; six sons, William, Edward, Tommy, George, Henry Ward, and Charles, and three daughters named Catharine, Mary and Harriet Elizabeth. Roxana died in September 1816.
  • // 1810
    In 1810, he accepted the post of minister at the Congregational Church of Litchfield, in Connecticut, serving for the next 16 years. During this period, he influenced a large number of people in the battle to defend Calvinism and also emerged as a leading voice in the temperance movement, publishing ‘Six Sermons on Intemperance’.
  • // 1817 To Jul 1835
    In 1817, he tied the knot with Harriet Porter, and fathered four more children; Frederick, Isabella Holmes, Thomas Kinnicut, and James Chaplin. After Harriet’s death in July 1835, Beecher wedded Lydia Beals, who was previously married to Joseph Jackson. The couple had no children together.
  • // 1826
    Impressed by his evangelization in defense of orthodox Christianity against Unitarianism in Connecticut, Beecher was invited to Boston and was appointed a pastor of the Hanover Street Congregational Church, Boston, in 1826.
  • // 1826 To 1935
    Lyman Beecher was one of the most influential Presbyterian clergymen and a noteworthy reformer of his time who served as a pastor for most of his life, trying to defend Calvinist orthodoxy against Unitarianism. He was a profound revivalist who raised his voice against dueling and intemperance, and subsequently co-founded the American Temperance Society in 1826. He was also a prolific writer who authored several important literary works including the ‘Plea for the West’ (1935).
  • // 1832 To 1850
    In 1832, he accepted the presidential ship of the newly founded Lane Theological Seminary in Cincinnati, Ohio, a position he retained until 1850. In addition to it, he was appointed the professor of sacred theology, and also served as the pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church of Cincinnati.
  • // 1832 To 1835
    In 1835, he published a book titled ‘A Plea for the West’ in which he articulated the sense of determination he felt in moving to Cincinnati in 1832.
  • // 1843 To 1850
    In 1843, Beecher ended his preaching career and eventually took retirement from the Lane Seminary in 1850. He spent the final years of his life at the home of his son, Henry Ward Beecher, in New York.
  • // 10th Jan 1863
    Lyman Beecher died on January 10, 1863, in Brooklyn, New York, U.S., at the age of 87. He was interred at the Grove Street Cemetery, in New Haven, Connecticut.

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Lyman Beecher's FAQ

  • What is Lyman Beecher birthday?

    Lyman Beecher was born at 1775-10-12

  • When was Lyman Beecher died?

    Lyman Beecher was died at 1863-01-10

  • Where was Lyman Beecher died?

    Lyman Beecher was died in Brooklyn

  • Which age was Lyman Beecher died?

    Lyman Beecher was died at age 87

  • Where is Lyman Beecher's birth place?

    Lyman Beecher was born in New Haven

  • What is Lyman Beecher nationalities?

    Lyman Beecher's nationalities is American

  • Who is Lyman Beecher spouses?

    Lyman Beecher's spouses is Harriet Beecher, Lydia Beecher, Roxana Beecher

  • Who is Lyman Beecher childrens?

    Lyman Beecher's childrens is Harriet Beecher Stowe, Henry Ward Beecher

  • What was Lyman Beecher universities?

    Lyman Beecher studied at Yale University, Yale Divinity School, Yale University

  • What was Lyman Beecher notable alumnis?

    Lyman Beecher's notable alumnis is Yale University

  • Which company or organization was founded by Lyman Beecher?

    Lyman Beecher was the founder/co-founder of Lane Theological Seminary, American Temperance Society

  • What is Lyman Beecher's sun sign?

    Lyman Beecher is Libra

  • How famous is Lyman Beecher?

    Lyman Beecher is famouse as Clergyman