Robert Hamilton Bishop
Encyclopedia
Robert Hamilton Bishop was a Scottish-American educator and Presbyterian minister who became the first president of Miami University
in Ohio. A professor of history and political science, he wrote about the history of the early churches in the United States, as well as theology.
When about seventeen years of age, Bishop started at the University of Edinburgh
, where he graduated in 1798. When Bishop studied at Edinburgh, such distinguished scholars as David Hume
, Adam Smith
, Adam Ferguson
, and Thomas Reid
were part of the faculty. The two men who influenced Bishop the most were Reverend James Finlayson and the celebrated philosopher, Dugald Stewart
.
in 1802. Dr. John M. Mason of New York visited the Burgher Synod of Scotland on a recruiting trip as commissioner of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian
Synod of North America.
in Jessamine County, Kentucky
. While serving as minister at Ebenezer, he was offered a professorship in history at Transylvania University
in Lexington
, which he accepted. Bishop served as acting president of Transylvania University from 1816–1818.
He was an early sympathizer with the plight of black slaves. In 1815, he organized a Negro school at Pisgah, and in 1816 he opened a school for African-American girls at Transylvania. His 1824 history of the church in Kentucky gave credit to the slaves Peter Durrett and his wife for founding and building up the First African Baptist Church
of Lexington, Kentucky
. Late nineteenth -century histories noted only white churches in Kentucky.
Rev. Bishop next became a supply preacher at the Second Presbyterian Church
of Lexington from 1820–1823. He also served as a minister in Versailles, Kentucky
.
, founded in Oxford, Ohio
, which opened for classes in 1824. He served from 1824 to 1841, when he resigned the presidency. He continued to hold the professorship of history and political science until the Autumn of 1844.
In 1845 he became headmaster of Farmer's College
in College Hill, Ohio. He died in 1855 and was buried on the grounds of Farmer's College. More than 100 years later, Bishop's remains were reinterred at Miami University.
Two of Bishop's most famous students were Jefferson Davis
at Transylvania and Benjamin Harrison
at Farmer's College. He recruited for the Miami faculty, William Holmes McGuffey
and John Witherspoon Scott
, father-in-law of Benjamin Harrison. Scott spoke at Bishop's funeral saying, in part, "during the changes and controversies originating in skeptical views among those controlling that (Miami) university, there was always one who nobly stood by the faithful Christian soldier, Dr. Bishop, and that was the national statesman, Henry Clay
. He continued to implore the directors to retain Dr. Bishop,for, if they did not have one praying man in the university it surely would go down."
Miami University
Miami University is a coeducational public research university located in Oxford, Ohio, United States. Founded in 1809, it is the 10th oldest public university in the United States and the second oldest university in Ohio, founded four years after Ohio University. In its 2012 edition, U.S...
in Ohio. A professor of history and political science, he wrote about the history of the early churches in the United States, as well as theology.
Early life and education
Robert Hamilton Bishop, the son of William Bishop and his wife Margaret Hamilton, was born in Scotland to a highly religious farm family.When about seventeen years of age, Bishop started at the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
, where he graduated in 1798. When Bishop studied at Edinburgh, such distinguished scholars as David Hume
David Hume
David Hume was a Scottish philosopher, historian, economist, and essayist, known especially for his philosophical empiricism and skepticism. He was one of the most important figures in the history of Western philosophy and the Scottish Enlightenment...
, Adam Smith
Adam Smith
Adam Smith was a Scottish social philosopher and a pioneer of political economy. One of the key figures of the Scottish Enlightenment, Smith is the author of The Theory of Moral Sentiments and An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations...
, Adam Ferguson
Adam Ferguson
Adam Ferguson FRSE, also known as Ferguson of Raith was a Scottish philosopher, social scientist and historian of the Scottish Enlightenment...
, and Thomas Reid
Thomas Reid
The Reverend Thomas Reid FRSE , was a religiously trained Scottish philosopher, and a contemporary of David Hume, was the founder of the Scottish School of Common Sense, and played an integral role in the Scottish Enlightenment...
were part of the faculty. The two men who influenced Bishop the most were Reverend James Finlayson and the celebrated philosopher, Dugald Stewart
Dugald Stewart
Dugald Stewart was a Scottish Enlightenment philosopher and mathematician. His father, Matthew Stewart , was professor of mathematics in the University of Edinburgh .-Life and works:...
.
Ordination and ministry
From the University of Edinburgh, Bishop went to the Divinity Hall at Selkirk, and was licensed to preach by the Associate Burgher Presbytery of PerthPerth, Scotland
Perth is a town and former city and royal burgh in central Scotland. Located on the banks of the River Tay, it is the administrative centre of Perth and Kinross council area and the historic county town of Perthshire...
in 1802. Dr. John M. Mason of New York visited the Burgher Synod of Scotland on a recruiting trip as commissioner of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian
Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church
The Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church as it exists today is the remnant of a small denomination, which was formed from the Synod of the South, a division of the Associate Reformed Church...
Synod of North America.
Immigration to the United States and ministry
In March 1803 Bishop accepted a call from the Ebenezer ChurchEbenezer Presbyterian Church (Keene, Kentucky)
Ebenezer Presbyterian Church is located near the community of Keene in Jessamine County, Kentucky, United States. The first Ebenezer Church on the site was organized by Presbyterian minister Adam Rankin around 1790...
in Jessamine County, Kentucky
Jessamine County, Kentucky
Jessamine County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It is within the Inner Blue Grass region, which was the center of farming and blooded stock raising, including thoroughbred horses. It was formed in 1799. The population was 48,586 in the 2010 Census...
. While serving as minister at Ebenezer, he was offered a professorship in history at Transylvania University
Transylvania University
Transylvania University is a private, undergraduate liberal arts college in Lexington, Kentucky, United States, affiliated with the Christian Church . The school was founded in 1780. It offers 38 majors, and pre-professional degrees in engineering and accounting...
in Lexington
Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
, which he accepted. Bishop served as acting president of Transylvania University from 1816–1818.
He was an early sympathizer with the plight of black slaves. In 1815, he organized a Negro school at Pisgah, and in 1816 he opened a school for African-American girls at Transylvania. His 1824 history of the church in Kentucky gave credit to the slaves Peter Durrett and his wife for founding and building up the First African Baptist Church
First African Baptist Church (Lexington, Kentucky)
First African Baptist Church is a historic church at 264-272 E. Short Street in Lexington, Kentucky. The congregation was founded c. 1790 by Peter Durrett and his wife, slaves who came to Kentucky with their master, Rev...
of Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
. Late nineteenth -century histories noted only white churches in Kentucky.
Rev. Bishop next became a supply preacher at the Second Presbyterian Church
Second Presbyterian Church (Lexington, Kentucky)
Second Presbyterian Church is a historic church at 460 E. Main Street in Lexington, Kentucky.It was built in 1922 and added to the National Register in 1980....
of Lexington from 1820–1823. He also served as a minister in Versailles, Kentucky
Versailles, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 7,511 people, 3,160 households, and 2,110 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 3,330 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 88.18% White, 8.67% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.35%...
.
First president of Miami University
Bishop was selected as the first President of Miami UniversityMiami University
Miami University is a coeducational public research university located in Oxford, Ohio, United States. Founded in 1809, it is the 10th oldest public university in the United States and the second oldest university in Ohio, founded four years after Ohio University. In its 2012 edition, U.S...
, founded in Oxford, Ohio
Oxford, Ohio
Oxford is a city in northwestern Butler County, Ohio, United States, in the southwestern portion of the state. It lies in Oxford Township, originally called the College Township. The population was 21,943 at the 2000 census. This college town was founded as a home for Miami University. Oxford...
, which opened for classes in 1824. He served from 1824 to 1841, when he resigned the presidency. He continued to hold the professorship of history and political science until the Autumn of 1844.
In 1845 he became headmaster of Farmer's College
Ohio Military Institute
The Ohio Military Institute was a higher education institution located in Cincinnati, Ohio. Founded in 1890, it closed in 1958.-History:...
in College Hill, Ohio. He died in 1855 and was buried on the grounds of Farmer's College. More than 100 years later, Bishop's remains were reinterred at Miami University.
Legacy and honors
- In 1830, the Erodelphian Literary Society at Miami University commissioned Hiram PowersHiram PowersHiram Powers was an American neoclassical sculptor.-Biography:The son of a farmer, Powers was born in Woodstock, Vermont, on the July 29, 1805. In 1818 his father moved to Ohio, about six miles from Cincinnati, where the son attended school for about a year, staying meanwhile with his brother, a...
to sculpt a bust of Bishop. - Bishop Hall, the honors dormitory on the Miami campus, was named in his honor.
- The Bishop Medal, Miami University's highest alumni award, was established in his honor.
Two of Bishop's most famous students were Jefferson Davis
Jefferson Davis
Jefferson Finis Davis , also known as Jeff Davis, was an American statesman and leader of the Confederacy during the American Civil War, serving as President for its entire history. He was born in Kentucky to Samuel and Jane Davis...
at Transylvania and Benjamin Harrison
Benjamin Harrison
Benjamin Harrison was the 23rd President of the United States . Harrison, a grandson of President William Henry Harrison, was born in North Bend, Ohio, and moved to Indianapolis, Indiana at age 21, eventually becoming a prominent politician there...
at Farmer's College. He recruited for the Miami faculty, William Holmes McGuffey
William Holmes McGuffey
William Holmes McGuffey was an American professor and college president who is best known for writing the McGuffey Readers, one of the nation's first and most widely used series of textbooks...
and John Witherspoon Scott
John Witherspoon Scott
The Rev. Dr. John Witherspoon Scott was an American Presbyterian minister and academic whose daughter, Caroline Harrison became first lady of the United States as wife of Benjamin Harrison....
, father-in-law of Benjamin Harrison. Scott spoke at Bishop's funeral saying, in part, "during the changes and controversies originating in skeptical views among those controlling that (Miami) university, there was always one who nobly stood by the faithful Christian soldier, Dr. Bishop, and that was the national statesman, Henry Clay
Henry Clay
Henry Clay, Sr. , was a lawyer, politician and skilled orator who represented Kentucky separately in both the Senate and in the House of Representatives...
. He continued to implore the directors to retain Dr. Bishop,for, if they did not have one praying man in the university it surely would go down."
Books
Dr. Bishop was a prolific writer. His chief works were:- An Apology for Calvinism, 1804
- An Outline of the History of the Church in the State of Kentucky, During a Period of Forty Years (containing the memoir of Rev. David Rice), T.T. Skillman, 1824
- Elements of Logic, 1833
- Sketches of the Philosophy of the Bible, 1833
- The Western Peacemaker, 1839