John Haskell Hewitt
Encyclopedia
John Haskell Hewitt was an American classical scholar and educator, notable for serving as acting president of Williams College
from 1901 to 1902.
Born in Preston, Connecticut
to Charles Hewitt and Eunice (Witter), Hewitt entered Yale University
in 1855, initially intending to study law. While at Yale he befriended Franklin Carter
, a relationship that would prove beneficial in later years. After graduating with an A.B.
in 1859, Hewitt then earned an advanced degree from the Yale Divinity School
in 1863. He served as a librarian
at Yale's Brothers in Unity
Library until 1865, until he accepted a position teaching Latin
and Greek
at Olivet College
. He became a full professor the same year, and earned a Masters Degree from Yale in 1867.
On September 8, 1869, Hewitt married Mary Louisa Downing. They had two sons, both of which would become professors themselves, and a daughter. In 1875 Hewitt moved to Lake Forest College
in Illinois, due to health problems, and served as trustee and acting president there. He studied and traveled in Europe from 1881 to 1882.
In 1882, Franklin Carter, now president of Williams College
in Massachusetts, contacted Hewitt and offered him a prestigious professorship in ancient languages. Hewitt accepted, serving Williams in various capacities for the rest of his life. He earned another masters degree from Williams in 1888, and an LL.D. from Union College
in 1895. When Carter resigned in 1901, Hewitt was name acting president until 1902, when he was replaced by Henry Hopkins
. Williams went on to publish Williams College and Foreign Missions in 1914. He subsequently received a higher professorship of Greek in 1903, and became Professor Emeritus in 1909.
Williams College
Williams College is a private liberal arts college located in Williamstown, Massachusetts, United States. It was established in 1793 with funds from the estate of Ephraim Williams. Originally a men's college, Williams became co-educational in 1970. Fraternities were also phased out during this...
from 1901 to 1902.
Born in Preston, Connecticut
Preston, Connecticut
Preston is a town in New London County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 4,688 at the 2000 census. The town includes the villages of Long Society, Preston City, and Poquetanuck.-History:...
to Charles Hewitt and Eunice (Witter), Hewitt entered Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
in 1855, initially intending to study law. While at Yale he befriended Franklin Carter
Franklin Carter
Franklin Carter was an American professor. Carter graduated from Williams College in 1862, to later become a professor at the same school. During this time, he taught Latin and German classes. Also, he was the head of a language scholar organisation called the Modern Languages Association...
, a relationship that would prove beneficial in later years. After graduating with an A.B.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in 1859, Hewitt then earned an advanced degree from the Yale Divinity School
Yale Divinity School
Yale Divinity School is a professional school at Yale University, in New Haven, Connecticut, U.S. preparing students for ordained or lay ministry, or for the academy...
in 1863. He served as a librarian
Librarian
A librarian is an information professional trained in library and information science, which is the organization and management of information services or materials for those with information needs...
at Yale's Brothers in Unity
Brothers in Unity
Brothers in Unity was an 18th century debating society at Yale University. At the time of the formation of Yale's central library, two debating societies, Linonia and Brothers in Unity, donated their respective libraries to the university...
Library until 1865, until he accepted a position teaching Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
and Greek
Greek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
at Olivet College
Olivet College
Olivet College is a coeducational, liberal arts college located in Olivet, Michigan, United States, south of Lansing and west of Detroit. It is affiliated with the United Church of Christ and the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches, and accredited by the North Central...
. He became a full professor the same year, and earned a Masters Degree from Yale in 1867.
On September 8, 1869, Hewitt married Mary Louisa Downing. They had two sons, both of which would become professors themselves, and a daughter. In 1875 Hewitt moved to Lake Forest College
Lake Forest College
Lake Forest College, founded in 1857, is a private liberal arts college in Lake Forest, Illinois. The college has 1,500 students representing 47 states and 78 countries....
in Illinois, due to health problems, and served as trustee and acting president there. He studied and traveled in Europe from 1881 to 1882.
In 1882, Franklin Carter, now president of Williams College
Williams College
Williams College is a private liberal arts college located in Williamstown, Massachusetts, United States. It was established in 1793 with funds from the estate of Ephraim Williams. Originally a men's college, Williams became co-educational in 1970. Fraternities were also phased out during this...
in Massachusetts, contacted Hewitt and offered him a prestigious professorship in ancient languages. Hewitt accepted, serving Williams in various capacities for the rest of his life. He earned another masters degree from Williams in 1888, and an LL.D. from Union College
Union College
Union College is a private, non-denominational liberal arts college located in Schenectady, New York, United States. Founded in 1795, it was the first institution of higher learning chartered by the New York State Board of Regents. In the 19th century, it became the "Mother of Fraternities", as...
in 1895. When Carter resigned in 1901, Hewitt was name acting president until 1902, when he was replaced by Henry Hopkins
Henry Hopkins (clergy)
Henry Hopkins was an American clergyman and a noted president of Williams College.-Life and career:The son of Mark Hopkins, Henry Hopkins grew up in Williamstown, Massachusetts, and graduated from Williams College in 1858, where he was a member of The Kappa Alpha Society...
. Williams went on to publish Williams College and Foreign Missions in 1914. He subsequently received a higher professorship of Greek in 1903, and became Professor Emeritus in 1909.