Thomas Rutherford Bacon
Encyclopedia
Thomas Rutherford Bacon was an American
Congregational clergy
man, and a professor of history at the University of California
.
and the brother of Leonard Woolsey Bacon
, Edward Woolsey Bacon
(of New London, Connecticut
), and George B. Bacon
, all Congregational preachers.
Bacon graduated from Yale Divinity School
in 1877. He was a minister for three years at the Dwight Place Church in New Haven, Connecticut
, and on July 4, 1884, delivered an oration on the occasion of the hundredth anniversary of the town. In that same year, he resigned unexpectedly, after some gossiping members of his congregations ("without standing or influcence") had apparently complained about him; the congregation was, according to the papers, moved to tears when Bacon, who was described as "young, talented, eloquent, and popular," read his resignation letter. There were hints of an investigation, and the possible "disciplining [of] certain folks whose too freely wagging tongues have brought about the trouble." The New York Times
later reported that political intrigue related to the presidential candidacy of James G. Blaine
was behind the gossip; the paper praised Bacon for his integrity and "manliness," and called him "the original mugwump
of Connecticut."
After his church career in New Haven was ended, he devoted himself to literary pursuits, publishing in the New Englander and serving as that magazine's associate editor from 1886 to 1887; he also edited the New Haven Morning News, from 1885 to 1887.
In June 1887, his brother Edward died in Santa Clara County, California
, and in that same year (until 1890) Thomas took up the ministry of the First Congregational Church in Berkeley
, where Edward has also, briefly, been a minister. In 1888, he became an instructor in the history department at the University of California
, and from 1890 to 1895 was a professor in European history. In 1895, he was promoted to full professor in Modern European History, a position he held--in worsening health--until his death in 1913.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Congregational clergy
Clergy
Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given religion. A clergyman, churchman or cleric is a member of the clergy, especially one who is a priest, preacher, pastor, or other religious professional....
man, and a professor of history at the University of California
University of California
The University of California is a public university system in the U.S. state of California. Under the California Master Plan for Higher Education, the University of California is a part of the state's three-tier public higher education system, which also includes the California State University...
.
Biography
Thomas Rutherford Bacon came from a family of preachers: he was the son of Leonard BaconLeonard Bacon
Leonard Bacon was an American Congregational preacher and writer.-Biography:Leonard Bacon was born in Detroit, Michigan...
and the brother of Leonard Woolsey Bacon
Leonard Woolsey Bacon
Leonard Woolsey Bacon was an American clergyman, born in New Haven, Connecticut. He was a social commentator and a prolific author on religious, social, and historical matters...
, Edward Woolsey Bacon
Edward Woolsey Bacon
Edward Woolsey Bacon was an American Congregational clergyman, as well as a sailor and a soldier.-Biography:Bacon was born in New Haven, Connecticut. He came from a family of preachers: he was the son of Leonard Bacon and the brother of Leonard Woolsey Bacon, Thomas Rutherford Bacon of New Haven,...
(of New London, Connecticut
New London, Connecticut
New London is a seaport city and a port of entry on the northeast coast of the United States.It is located at the mouth of the Thames River in New London County, southeastern Connecticut....
), and George B. Bacon
George B. Bacon
George B. Bacon was an United States clergyman and author of texts on religious issues. Bacon was a congregational pastor in Orange, New Jersey. The ministry ran in the Bacons' blood: George B...
, all Congregational preachers.
Bacon graduated from 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 1877. He was a minister for three years at the Dwight Place Church in New Haven, Connecticut
New Haven, Connecticut
New Haven is the second-largest city in Connecticut and the sixth-largest in New England. According to the 2010 Census, New Haven's population increased by 5.0% between 2000 and 2010, a rate higher than that of the State of Connecticut, and higher than that of the state's five largest cities, and...
, and on July 4, 1884, delivered an oration on the occasion of the hundredth anniversary of the town. In that same year, he resigned unexpectedly, after some gossiping members of his congregations ("without standing or influcence") had apparently complained about him; the congregation was, according to the papers, moved to tears when Bacon, who was described as "young, talented, eloquent, and popular," read his resignation letter. There were hints of an investigation, and the possible "disciplining [of] certain folks whose too freely wagging tongues have brought about the trouble." The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
later reported that political intrigue related to the presidential candidacy of James G. Blaine
James G. Blaine
James Gillespie Blaine was a U.S. Representative, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, U.S. Senator from Maine, two-time Secretary of State...
was behind the gossip; the paper praised Bacon for his integrity and "manliness," and called him "the original mugwump
Mugwump
The Mugwumps were Republican political activists who bolted from the United States Republican Party by supporting Democratic candidate Grover Cleveland in the United States presidential election of 1884. They switched parties because they rejected the financial corruption associated with Republican...
of Connecticut."
After his church career in New Haven was ended, he devoted himself to literary pursuits, publishing in the New Englander and serving as that magazine's associate editor from 1886 to 1887; he also edited the New Haven Morning News, from 1885 to 1887.
In June 1887, his brother Edward died in Santa Clara County, California
Santa Clara County, California
Santa Clara County is a county located at the southern end of the San Francisco Bay Area in the U.S. state of California. As of 2010 it had a population of 1,781,642. The county seat is San Jose. The highly urbanized Santa Clara Valley within Santa Clara County is also known as Silicon Valley...
, and in that same year (until 1890) Thomas took up the ministry of the First Congregational Church in Berkeley
Berkeley, California
Berkeley is a city on the east shore of the San Francisco Bay in Northern California, United States. Its neighbors to the south are the cities of Oakland and Emeryville. To the north is the city of Albany and the unincorporated community of Kensington...
, where Edward has also, briefly, been a minister. In 1888, he became an instructor in the history department at the University of California
University of California
The University of California is a public university system in the U.S. state of California. Under the California Master Plan for Higher Education, the University of California is a part of the state's three-tier public higher education system, which also includes the California State University...
, and from 1890 to 1895 was a professor in European history. In 1895, he was promoted to full professor in Modern European History, a position he held--in worsening health--until his death in 1913.