George Junkin | |
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 George Junkin from his time at Washington College | |
| Born | (1790-11-01)November 1, 1790 |
| Died | May 20, 1868(1868-05-20) (aged 77) |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Jefferson College Theological Seminary of theAssociate Reformed Presbyterian Church, NYC |
| Occupation | Presbyterian minister |
| Ordained | 1816 |
Offices held | Lafayette College (president 1832–1840, 1844–1848) Miami University (president 1841–1844) Washington and Lee University (president 1848–1861) |
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The ReverendGeorge Junkin (November 1, 1790 – May 20, 1868) was an American educator andPresbyterian minister who served as the first and third president ofLafayette College and later as president ofMiami University and Washington College (nowWashington and Lee University).
George, the son of Joseph Junkin, was the sixth of fourteen children born inCumberland County, Pennsylvania. His early years were spent on his father's farm where he prepared for college. He graduated from Jefferson College (nowWashington and Jefferson College) in 1813. After studying theology privately, he entered the Theological Seminary of theAssociate Reformed Presbyterian Church, inNew York City and was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Monongahela in 1816. He was soon called to the charge of the United Congregations ofMilton, Pennsylvania andMcEwensville, Pennsylvania, where he remained for about eleven years. He left the reformed denomination to become aPresbyterian in 1822.[1] In 1830, he became Principal of theManual Labor Academy, atGermantown, Pennsylvania, one of the first institutions of the kind to go into operation in the United States. Two years later he became the first President ofLafayette College.[2] In 1841, he accepted the Presidency ofMiami University inOxford, Ohio remaining three years, when he again returned to Easton. He was Moderator of the General Assembly in 1844.
In November 1848 he became the President of Washington College (nowWashington and Lee University) in Lexington, Virginia; he followedHenry Ruffner as president. Junkin's published speeches as president of Washington College include his inaugural address[3] in February 1849 and one at Rutgers College in July 1856.[4] Junkin remained at Washington College until May, 1861, when he resigned the presidency at the age of 71 and moved toPhiladelphia amidst controversy regarding his pro-Union views and Virginia's secession from the United States. Confederate GeneralStonewall Jackson had been Junkin's friend and eventually son in law when Jackson was a teacher at the Virginia Military Institute, which also is located in Lexington. The movieGods and Generals briefly portrays the poignant end to this friendship, at the start of the Civil War, when Jackson joined the Confederate army (taking one of Junkin's sons with him) and Junkin departed for Pennsylvania. During the War, Junkin wrote a polemical attack on secession, which was also critical of abolitionists. He died in Philadelphia in 1868 and he was later reburied in Lexington, Virginia.[5] His headstone incorrectly indicates that he was the founder of Miami University.
Among Junkin's children were,Elinor, the first wife of Confederate GeneralStonewall Jackson, the poetMargaret Junkin Preston, and a son, George Junkin, Jr.
George Junkin succeededRobert Hamilton Bishop as Miami University's second president, serving from 1841 to 1844. He quickly established his philosophy about college leadership, proclaiming that a monarchical system best suits a college administration, with the President serving as King. This was a difficult adjustment for students and faculty, who had been used to the more progressive Bishop administration. There was also controversy over his proslavery views, which he expressed in a pamphlet published in 1843 known asThe Integrity of Our National Union vs. Abolitionism.[6]
The years of the Junkin administration began the "sullen years" of Miami, where there was a definite gloom amongst the students and faculty on campus. As a result of their dislike, he spent only three years before moving back to Lafayette. His tombstone inaccurately describes him as the founder of Miami University. The campus of Miami University has no building or location which bears his name, which argue that his three years at Miami were not enjoyable.[7]
In the 1830s, Junkin took part in a major event in Presbyterian Church history, known as theOld School-New School Controversy. Junkin (representing the Old School) served as the prosecutor in a church trial ofAlbert Barnes (a leading New School theologian), accusing him of heresy.[8] This controversy, which turned on theological differences and regional prejudices, eventually led the Presbyterian Church to split in 1838.
ThePresbyterian Historical Society inPhiladelphia,Pennsylvania, has a collection of Junkin's correspondences, sermons and photographs[9] in its holdings.
TheUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has genealogical notes of the Junkin Family in the Southern Historical Collections at theLouis Round Wilson Special Collections Library.[10]
Media related toGeorge Junkin at Wikimedia Commons| Academic offices | ||
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| Preceded by Position Created John William Yeomans | President of Lafayette College 1832–1840 1848–1849 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | President of Miami University 1841 – 1844 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | President of Washington and Lee University 1848—1861 | Succeeded by |
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| Preceded by The Rev.Gardiner Spring | Moderator of the 56th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America (Old School) 1844–1845 | Succeeded by The Rev.John Michael Krebs |
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