Philip Lindsley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Philip Lindsley
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| 1st President of the University of Nashville | |
| In office 1824–1850 |
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| Preceded by | (office created) |
| Succeeded by | John Berrien Lindsley |
| Acting President of Princeton University | |
| In office 1822–1823 |
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| Preceded by | Ashbel Green |
| Succeeded by | James Carnahan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 21, 1786 Basking Ridge, New Jersey |
| Died | May 25, 1855 (aged 68) Nashville, Tennessee |
| Spouses | Margaret Lawrence Lindsley Mary Ann Myers Lindsley |
| Relations | Nathaniel Lawrence (father-in-law) |
| Children | Adrian Van Sinderen Lindsley John Berrien Lindsley |
| Alma mater | Princeton University |
| Occupation | Preacher, educator, classicist |
| Signature |  |
Philip Lindsley (1786–1855) was an important American Presbyterian minister and teacher. He was also a classicist, meaning he studied ancient Greek and Roman cultures. He worked as the acting president of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) from 1822 to 1824. Later, he became the first president of the University of Nashville, serving from 1824 to 1850.
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Early Life and Education
Philip Lindsley was born in Basking Ridge, New Jersey on December 21, 1786. He went to private schools. He then graduated from the College of New Jersey, which is now known as Princeton University.
Career at Princeton University
Philip Lindsley started teaching at Princeton University in 1808. He taught Latin and Ancient Greek. By 1813, he became a professor of languages. He also worked as the university's librarian and a dean.
He served as the Vice President of Princeton from 1817 to 1822. From 1822 to 1824, he was the acting president. However, he decided not to become the full-time president. He also turned down offers to lead other universities. These included Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky, Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, and Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
Leading the University of Nashville
In December 1824, Lindsley moved to Nashville, Tennessee. He became the president of Cumberland College. One of his first actions was to ask for the college's name to be changed. About a year later, it became the University of Nashville.
He hired many respected scholars to teach. They taught subjects like classics, foreign languages, math, and geology. He also worked hard to get more students to join. He even suggested starting a medical school there.
Resignation and Later Work
Lindsley resigned from his position in 1850. The university had to stop operating for a while. This was because of a cholera outbreak. The epidemic caused fewer students to enroll and led to money problems.
When the university reopened in 1855, his son, John Berrien Lindsley, became its president. After leaving Nashville, Philip Lindsley taught at New Albany Theological Seminary. This seminary is now called the McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago.
Lindsley's Impact on Education
Philip Lindsley had a lasting impact on education. He helped promote Nashville's nickname, "Athens of the South." This name was first used by Leroy J. Halsey. It showed Lindsley's goal to make the University of Nashville a famous school.
He strongly believed in better education for everyone. He was one of the first to suggest that teachers should get formal training. He thought education was "a great equalizer," especially for poor people.
Views on Slavery
Lindsley also wrote an essay called Thoughts on Slavery. In it, he stated that enslaved people "must be emancipated." This showed his support for ending slavery. In the 1830s, he published a paper arguing that all children should get a broad education. This included subjects like Greek, Latin, math, and English.
Personal Life
Philip Lindsley married Margaret Lawrence Lindsley. She was the daughter of Nathaniel Lawrence, a former New York Attorney General. They had three sons:
- Adrian Van Sinderen Lindsley (1814–1885), who served in the Tennessee Senate.
- Nathaniel Lawrence Lindsley (1816–1868).
- John Berrien Lindsley (1822–1897). John married Sarah McGavock Lindsley.
Margaret Lindsley passed away in 1845. In 1849, Philip Lindsley married Mary Ann Myers. She was the widow of Elias Myers, who founded New Albany Theological Seminary.
Death
Philip Lindsley died in Nashville on May 25, 1855.
