William Stith facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Stith
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| 3rd President of the College of William & Mary |
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| In office 1752–1755 |
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| Preceded by | William Dawson |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Dawson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1707 |
| Died | September 19, 1755 |
| Alma mater | College of William & Mary The Queen's College, Oxford |
| Signature |  |
William Stith (born 1707 – died 1755) was an important person in early American history. He was a historian, meaning he wrote about the past. He was also an Anglican minister, which is a type of church leader.
William Stith became the third president of the College of William & Mary in Virginia. He led the college from 1752 to 1755. A building on the campus, Stith Hall, is named after him.
Early Life and Education
William Stith was born in 1707. His mother was Mary Randolph, and his grandfather was William Randolph, who was a well-known person in Virginia.
William Stith went to school at the College of William & Mary's Grammar School. Later, he studied at The Queen's College, Oxford in England. He earned his first degree in 1728.
In 1731, while still in England, he became an Anglican minister. After that, he came back to Williamsburg, Virginia.
Career and Contributions
In October 1731, William Stith started working at the College of William & Mary. He became a master at the Grammar School there. He also worked as a chaplain for the Virginia House of Burgesses. The House of Burgesses was like a government assembly for the colony.
For 16 years, starting in 1736, Stith was a minister in Henrico County. He also served as a minister in York County. He published three of his sermons in the 1740s and 1750s.
One of his famous sermons was called The Sinfulness and Pernicious Nature of Gaming. He gave this speech in Williamsburg in 1752. The speech was about the dangers of gambling. It was so impactful that the government decided not to change a law about gambling after hearing him speak. This sermon became very popular.
William Stith also wrote one of the first history books about Virginia. It was titled The History of the First Discovery and Settlement of Virginia. This book was published in Williamsburg in 1747. It helped people learn about the early days of the colony.
From 1752 to 1755, Stith served as the third president of the College of William & Mary. Today, Stith Hall, a residence hall on the campus, is named in his honor.
Family Life
William Stith married Judith Randolph in 1738. She was his cousin. They had three daughters together: Judith, Elizabeth, and Mary.
