Henry Cowles (theologian) facts for kids

Henry Cowles (April 24, 1803 – September 7, 1881) was an important American scholar and a strong supporter of ending slavery. He spent his life studying religion and teaching others.

About Henry Cowles

Henry Cowles was born in Norfolk, Connecticut, on April 24, 1803. His parents were Olive Phelps and Samuel Cowles.

He first married Alice Welch on July 30, 1830. Alice passed away in 1843. They had six children together, but only one son and one daughter lived longer than him.

In March 1844, Henry married Minerva Dayton. Minerva was a widow from Oberlin, Ohio. Through this marriage, Henry became the stepfather of Josephine Penfield Cushman Bateham. Josephine grew up to be a well-known social reformer, writer, and editor.

Henry Cowles passed away on September 7, 1881, at the age of 78. He died from a health condition that affected his movement, while staying at his daughter's home in Janesville, Wisconsin.

His Journey in Learning

Henry Cowles was a very dedicated student. He graduated from Yale College in 1826.

After Yale, he spent two years studying at the Yale Divinity School. He was then ordained, which means he became a minister. This happened in Hartford, Connecticut, on July 1, 1828. He planned to work as a missionary in different parts of the country.

Cowles moved to Ohio and worked as a minister in Ashtabula and Sandusky for about two years. After that, he became the leader of the Congregational Church in Austinburg. He stayed there until 1835.

In 1835, Henry Cowles joined Oberlin College as a professor. He first taught Latin and Greek. Later, he taught about the history of the church and the Hebrew language in the college's religious studies department. He taught there until 1848.

After his teaching career, he became the editor of a newspaper called the Oberlin Evangelist. He led this newspaper until 1863. For the rest of his life, he stayed in Oberlin, focusing on his writing.

From 1867 onwards, he wrote and published sixteen books of Commentaries. These books explained the entire Bible. He used the money he earned from these books to support missionary work around the world.

In 1863, Hillsdale College in Michigan gave him a special degree called Doctor of Divinity. This was a recognition of his deep knowledge and contributions to religious studies.