George Thacher | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Portrait of Thacher | |
| Born | (1817-07-25)July 25, 1817 Hartford, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Died | December 27, 1878(1878-12-27) (aged 61) Hartford, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Education | Yale College Yale Divinity School |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1843–1878 |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | 3 |
| Relatives | Thomas Anthony Thacher (brother) |
George Thacher (July 25, 1817 – December 27, 1878) was the fifth President of theUniversity of Iowa, serving from 1871 to 1877.
George Thacher was born on July 25, 1817, inHartford, Connecticut, to Anne (née Parks) and Peter Thacher. He graduated fromYale College in 1840. He studied for three years in theYale Divinity School.[1]
Thacher began preaching in June 1843 in the Congregational Church inDerby and was ordained paster on January 4, 1844. He moved to the Congregational Church inNantucket, Massachusetts, and preached there from November 14, 1848, to May 14, 1850. He was then pastor at Allen Street Presbyterian Church in New York City from May 26, 1850, to October 9, 1854.[1] He was pastor at the 1st Congregational Church inMeriden, Connecticut, from November 16, 1854, to September 18, 1860. He was pastor at Orthodox Congregational Church inKeokuk, Iowa, from October 30, 1860, to April 8, 1867. He spent some months in Europe and then took temporary charge of a church inWaterloo, Iowa, in October 1868.[1]
Thacher served as president of theUniversity of Iowa from April 1871 to June 1877.[1] While he was president, the college established the homeopathic department and the department of civil engineering. He re-introduced the military science program and the university built its first sports field. During his tenure, Iowa's high schools became more associated with the university and students from qualified high schools had their entrance examinations exempt.[2] He left the presidency due to poor health.[3] He then preached at the Congregational Church inIowa City. He resigned due to health in March 1878.[1]
Thacher married Sarah M. Smith, daughter of reverend Noah Smith, ofSouth Britain, Connecticut, in April 1844. They had two children. She died in 1850. He married her sister Mary S. Smith on August 27, 1851. They had one child.[1] He was the brother of Yale administrator and professorThomas Anthony Thacher.[3]
Thacher died from a disease of the brain and heart on December 27, 1878, at his home on Asylum Avenue and Gillette Street in Hartford.[1][3]
In 1871, he received an honoraryDoctor of Divinity by bothKnox College and byIowa College.[1]
| Academic offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | President of the University of Iowa 1871–1877 | Succeeded by |
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