William Augustus Stearns

William Augustus Stearns
Born	March 17, 1805  Bedford
Died	June 8, 1876  (aged 71) Springfield
Alma mater	Harvard University Andover Newton Theological School
Occupation	Cleric teacher
Employer	Amherst College
Signature

William Augustus Stearns (March 17, 1805 – June 8, 1876) was a 19th-century American Reformed minister and teacher who served as president of Amherst College from 1854 to 1876.

Biography

William A. Stearns was born in Bedford, Massachusetts on March 17, 1805.^[1] He graduated from Harvard College in 1827 and then Andover Seminary in 1831. Stearns served as pastor of Prospect Street Congregational Church from 1831 to 1854 when he left to become president of Amherst College. He served as president from 1854 until his death in 1876 and was one of the school's longest serving presidents.^[2][3] His son Wilfrid Alden Stearns was an amateur naturalist who wrote several books.

He died in Springfield, Massachusetts on June 8, 1876.^[4]

References

1. The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography. Vol. V. James T. White & Company. 1907. p. 309. Retrieved March 25, 2021 – via Google Books.
2. William Stearns, President (amherstiana.org)
3. Amherst College Archives & Special Collections: William Augustus Stearns Papers (1801-1875)
4. "Obituary: Sudden Death of President Stearns of Amherst College". The Boston Post. Springfield, Massachusetts. June 9, 1876. p. 2. Retrieved March 25, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.

External links

• William Augustus Stearns, A discourse on educated manhood: delivered to the students of Amherst College, August 7, 1859, it being the sabbath preceding the graduation of the seniors (Samuel Bowles & Co., 1859).
• William Augustus Stearns Papers at the Amherst College Archives & Special Collections

Academic offices
Preceded by Edward Hitchcock	President of Amherst College 1854–1876	Succeeded by Julius Hawley Seelye