Edward Wigglesworth
Encyclopedia
Edward Wigglesworth was a clergyman and teacher
in Colonial America
.
(1631–1705).
He graduated Harvard College
in 1710 and in 1722 he was appointed to the newly created Hollis Chair
, thereby becoming the first divinity
professor
commissioned in the American colonies. He died on January 16, 1765 at age 73 after holding the chair for more than 42 years.
He married Rebecca Coolidge (died 1754) in 1729. Their children were Rebecca Wigglesworth (1730–1783) who married Stephen Sewall (1734-1804) who was also an educator; Edward Wigglesworth (1732–1794) who became the next Hollis professor at Harvard; Mary Wigglesworth (1735–1758); and Sybil Wigglesworth (1736–1746). His son Edward had a son also named Edward Wigglesworth (1771-1794), and a son Thomas Wigglesworth (1775–1855) who had son also named Edward Wigglesworth (1804–1876).
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
in Colonial America
Colonial America
The colonial history of the United States covers the history from the start of European settlement and especially the history of the thirteen colonies of Britain until they declared independence in 1776. In the late 16th century, England, France, Spain and the Netherlands launched major...
.
Life
His father was clergyman and author Michael WigglesworthMichael Wigglesworth
Michael Wigglesworth was a Puritan minister and poet whose poem The Day of Doom was a bestseller in early New England.-Family:Michael Wigglesworth was born October 18, 1631 in Wrawby, Lincolnshire....
(1631–1705).
He graduated Harvard College
Harvard College
Harvard College, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is one of two schools within Harvard University granting undergraduate degrees...
in 1710 and in 1722 he was appointed to the newly created Hollis Chair
Hollis Chair
The Hollis Chair may refer to one of several Chairs established at Harvard College:* Hollis Chair of Divinity* Hollis Chair of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy...
, thereby becoming the first divinity
Divinity
Divinity and divine are broadly applied but loosely defined terms, used variously within different faiths and belief systems — and even by different individuals within a given faith — to refer to some transcendent or transcendental power or deity, or its attributes or manifestations in...
professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
commissioned in the American colonies. He died on January 16, 1765 at age 73 after holding the chair for more than 42 years.
He married Rebecca Coolidge (died 1754) in 1729. Their children were Rebecca Wigglesworth (1730–1783) who married Stephen Sewall (1734-1804) who was also an educator; Edward Wigglesworth (1732–1794) who became the next Hollis professor at Harvard; Mary Wigglesworth (1735–1758); and Sybil Wigglesworth (1736–1746). His son Edward had a son also named Edward Wigglesworth (1771-1794), and a son Thomas Wigglesworth (1775–1855) who had son also named Edward Wigglesworth (1804–1876).