Timothy Alden (educator)
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Timothy Alden | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | August 28, 1771 |
| Died | July 5, 1839 (aged 67) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| Resting place | Greendale Cemetery |
| Education | Harvard College |
| Occupation(s) | Clergyman, educator |
| Spouse |
Elizabeth Shepherd (Wormsted) Alden (1779–1820)
(m. 1797) |
| Relatives | John Alden |
Timothy Alden (August 28, 1771 – July 5, 1839) was an educator and Christian clergyman. He founded Allegheny College in 1817.
Timothy Alden was born in Yarmouth, Massachusetts on August 28, 1771.[1] After receiving a theology degree from Harvard College in 1794, he was appointed as a pastor in 1799.[2] As an educator, he held posts in Boston, Cincinnati, and Newark.[3][4] He founded Allegheny College in 1817 and held the post of president there for 14 years.[3]
Founder of Allegheny College
Allegheny College was founded in April 1815[5] by Alden, a graduate of Harvard Divinity School. The college was historically affiliated with the United Methodist Church after 1833, although it is currently non-sectarian.
The first class, consisting of four male students, began their studies on July 4, 1816, without any formal academic buildings. Within six years, Alden accumulated sufficient funds to begin building a campus. The first building erected, the library, was designed by Alden himself, and is a notable example of early American architecture. Bentley Hall is named in honor of William Bentley, who donated his private library to the college, a collection of considerable value and significance. In 1824, Thomas Jefferson wrote to Alden, expressing the hope that his University of Virginia could someday possess the richness of Allegheny's library.[6]
Alden served as president of the college until 1831, when financial and enrollment difficulties forced his resignation.[2]
He died in Pittsburgh on July 5, 1839.[2][7]
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