Aaron Bancroft
Encyclopedia
Aaron Bancroft was an American
clergyman. He was born in Reading, Massachusetts
to Samuel Bancroft and Lydia Parker.
He began his studies during the American Revolution
, and served as a minuteman, and was present, at the battles of both Lexington and Bunker Hill
. He graduated from Harvard in 1778 and subsequently taught, studied theology
and spent three years as a missionary in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia
. In 1785 he settled in Worcester, Massachusetts
as pastor of the Congregational church
, and remained in the same post until his death in 1839. During the middle of his life his theological views leant toward Arminianism
and by his advocacy of liberalism he became a noted leader in the early period of the Unitarian
schism. He published a eulogy of George Washington
in, 1800 and wrote a subsequent biography of Washington in 1807. He was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
in 1805. Although president of the American Unitarian Association
, he adhered to the name and system of Congregationalism
until his death in Worcester, Massachusetts
.
His son was George Bancroft
, American
historian, United States Secretary of the Navy
and United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
clergyman. He was born in Reading, Massachusetts
Reading, Massachusetts
Reading is an affluent town situated in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, some north of central Boston. The population was 24,747 at the 2010 census.-Settlement and Independence:...
to Samuel Bancroft and Lydia Parker.
He began his studies during the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
, and served as a minuteman, and was present, at the battles of both Lexington and Bunker Hill
Battle of Bunker Hill
The Battle of Bunker Hill took place on June 17, 1775, mostly on and around Breed's Hill, during the Siege of Boston early in the American Revolutionary War...
. He graduated from Harvard in 1778 and subsequently taught, studied theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
and spent three years as a missionary in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia
Yarmouth, Nova Scotia
Yarmouth is a town and fishing port located on the Gulf of Maine in rural southwestern Nova Scotia, Canada. It is the shire town of Yarmouth County. The town is located in the heart of the world's largest lobster fishing grounds and has Canada's highest lobster catch.- History :The townsite may...
. In 1785 he settled in Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester is a city and the county seat of Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. Named after Worcester, England, as of the 2010 Census the city's population is 181,045, making it the second largest city in New England after Boston....
as pastor of the Congregational church
Congregational church
Congregational churches are Protestant Christian churches practicing Congregationalist church governance, in which each congregation independently and autonomously runs its own affairs....
, and remained in the same post until his death in 1839. During the middle of his life his theological views leant toward Arminianism
Arminianism
Arminianism is a school of soteriological thought within Protestant Christianity based on the theological ideas of the Dutch Reformed theologian Jacobus Arminius and his historic followers, the Remonstrants...
and by his advocacy of liberalism he became a noted leader in the early period of the Unitarian
Unitarianism
Unitarianism is a Christian theological movement, named for its understanding of God as one person, in direct contrast to Trinitarianism which defines God as three persons coexisting consubstantially as one in being....
schism. He published a eulogy of George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
in, 1800 and wrote a subsequent biography of Washington in 1807. He was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
American Academy of Arts and Sciences
The American Academy of Arts and Sciences is an independent policy research center that conducts multidisciplinary studies of complex and emerging problems. The Academy’s elected members are leaders in the academic disciplines, the arts, business, and public affairs.James Bowdoin, John Adams, and...
in 1805. Although president of the American Unitarian Association
American Unitarian Association
The American Unitarian Association was a religious denomination in the United States and Canada, formed by associated Unitarian congregations in 1825. In 1961, it merged with the Universalist Church of America to form the Unitarian Universalist Association.According to Mortimer Rowe, the Secretary...
, he adhered to the name and system of Congregationalism
Congregational church
Congregational churches are Protestant Christian churches practicing Congregationalist church governance, in which each congregation independently and autonomously runs its own affairs....
until his death in Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester is a city and the county seat of Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. Named after Worcester, England, as of the 2010 Census the city's population is 181,045, making it the second largest city in New England after Boston....
.
His son was George Bancroft
George Bancroft
George Bancroft was an American historian and statesman who was prominent in promoting secondary education both in his home state and at the national level. During his tenure as U.S. Secretary of the Navy, he established the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis in 1845...
, American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
historian, United States Secretary of the Navy
United States Secretary of the Navy
The Secretary of the Navy of the United States of America is the head of the Department of the Navy, a component organization of the Department of Defense...
and United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom
United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom
The office of United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom was traditionally, and still is very much so today due to the Special Relationship, the most prestigious position in the United States Foreign Service...
.
Works
- Bancroft, Aaron. Life of George Washington Commander in Chief of the American Army Through the Revolutionary War, and the First President of the United States. London: Printed for J. Stockdale, 1808.