Daniel McBride Graham facts for kids

Daniel McBride Graham (born in 1817, died in 1888) was an important person who did many things! He was a pastor (a church leader), a writer, and even an inventor. He also worked to end slavery and supported equal rights for women. Daniel Graham was the first president of Hillsdale College from 1844 to 1848, and he came back to be president again from 1871 to 1874.

Early Life and Education

Daniel Graham was born in 1817 in Milan, Ohio. He grew up working on his family's farm. He later went to college and graduated from Oberlin College in 1843.

Leading Colleges

President of Hillsdale College

In 1844, Daniel Graham became the very first president of Michigan Central College. This college later became known as Hillsdale College. When it first opened in Spring Arbor, Michigan, it had only five students!

Graham led the college for four years, until 1848. He returned to be president of Hillsdale College a second time, from 1871 to 1874.

Helping Bates College Start

In 1864, Daniel Graham also helped start another college. He was a founding trustee of Bates College in Maine. This shows how much he believed in education.

His Work as a Pastor

After his first time as president of Hillsdale College, Graham became a pastor. He led churches in different cities. He worked in Saco, Maine, and then for twelve years in New York City. Later, he was a pastor in Portland, Maine for six years. He also led a church in Chicago for two years.

Writer and Inventor

Daniel Graham was a busy person! He wrote for several newspapers and magazines. These included The Morning Star, The Free Baptist, and The Baptist Quarterly Review.

He also loved science and studied chemistry. He was a clever inventor and received eleven patents. A patent is like a special permission that protects an inventor's new ideas. His inventions included things like a steam generator and a heating device.

Beliefs and Causes

Daniel Graham strongly believed in important causes. He was an abolitionist, which means he worked to end slavery before the American Civil War. He also supported the temperance movement, which encouraged people to avoid alcohol. He was a big supporter of women's education and their right to vote.

Later Life

After his second time as president of Hillsdale College, Graham worked in real estate. He lived in Chicago and later moved to Philadelphia. He passed away in Philadelphia in 1888. He was buried in Mount Moriah Cemetery.

Writings

• The Life of Clement Phinney (1851)