George A. Baxter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George Addison Baxter
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| 5th President of Washington & Lee University |
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| In office 1799–1829 |
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| Preceded by | Samuel Legrand Campbell |
| Succeeded by | Henry Ruffner |
| President of Hampden–Sydney College |
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| In office 1835–1835 |
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| Preceded by | Jonathan P. Cushing |
| Succeeded by | Daniel Lynn Carroll |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 22, 1771 Rockingham County, Virginia |
| Died | April 24, 1841 (aged 69) |
| Alma mater | Washington & Lee University University of North Carolina |
| Profession | Theologian, Educator |
George Addison Baxter (born July 22, 1771 – died April 24, 1841) was an important educator, university leader, and writer in America. He was the president of two well-known colleges. He led Washington and Lee University from 1799 to 1829. Later, he became president of Hampden–Sydney College in 1835 and served until he passed away.
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Early Life and Family
George Addison Baxter was born in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. His parents were George Baxter and Mary Love. He went to a school called Liberty Hall. This school later changed its name to Washington College and is now known as Washington and Lee University.
In 1798, George Baxter married Annie C. Fleming. Her father, William Fleming, was a respected leader and a former governor of Virginia.
George Baxter's Career
George Baxter became a minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA) in 1797. He continued to preach while also working as a teacher. In 1798, he left his job as a principal at New London Academy. He then became a professor at Liberty Hall, teaching math and science.
Soon after, in 1799, he became the president of his old school, Liberty Hall. The school changed its name several times during his time there. It became Washington Academy and then Washington College. He was president for 30 years, until 1829.
Later, in 1832, he became a professor of theology at Union Theological Seminary. This seminary was located at Hampden–Sydney College in Prince Edward County, Virginia. From 1835 until his death, he also served as the acting president of Hampden–Sydney College.
George Baxter earned his first degree, an A.B. degree, from Liberty Hall. In 1812, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill gave him an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree. This was a special award for his important work.
George Baxter's Writings
George Baxter was also a published author. He wrote many essays and sermons. One of his longest books was An Essay on the Abolition of Slavery, published in 1836. This book discussed the topic of slavery.
He also wrote several sermons, which are speeches given in church. These include A sermon, preached at Bethel, on the ordination of the Rev. William M'Pheters (1806) and Sermon preached before the Presbytery of Lexington, at the installation of the Rev. Thomas Caldwell (1925).
Other important writings were An address of the committee, appointed by the Bible Society of Lexington Virginia (1812), Essay on Baptism (1833), and Parity: the Scriptural order of the Christian ministry (1840). His speech when he became a professor at Union Theological Seminary was also printed in 1832.
Death and Lasting Impact
George Baxter passed away in 1841. He was buried at the Union Presbyterian Seminary Cemetery in Prince Edward County, Virginia. His grave has a tall stone monument, and one side of it is written in Latin.
Many students who attended Washington College during Baxter's time became very successful later in life. In 1892, the leaders of Washington and Lee University wrote tributes to honor him after his death.
The house where his family lived, called Baxter House, is near Edom, Virginia. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 because of its historical importance.
Today, you can find some of George A. Baxter's old papers. They are kept in the special collections at the James G. Leyburn Library at Washington and Lee University.
Images for kids
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George Addison Baxter
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George A. Baxter's Cemetery Monument on the campus of Hampden-Sydney College
