William Linn (clergyman)

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William Linn
2nd President of Rutgers University
In office
1791–1795
Preceded byJacob Rutsen Hardenbergh
Succeeded byIra Condict
1st Chaplain of the United States House of Representatives
In office
May 1, 1789 – December 10, 1790
Preceded byposition created
Succeeded bySamuel Blair
Personal details
Born(1752-02-27)February 27, 1752
Shippensburg, Pennsylvania
DiedJanuary 8, 1808(1808-01-08) (aged 55)
Albany, New York
EducationCollege of New Jersey (now Princeton; A.B., 1772)
ProfessionPresbyterian minister

William Linn (February 27, 1752 – January 8, 1808)[1] was an American Presbyterian minister and the second President of Queen's College (now Rutgers University), serving in a pro tempore capacity from 1791 to 1795. He was also the first Chaplain of the United States House of Representatives.

Biography[edit]

He was born on February 27, 1752, on Shippensburg, Pennsylvania.

William Linn graduated from the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) with a Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) in 1772, and was ordained by the Donegal Presbytery in 1775. After serving as a chaplain in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, Linn served as a minister and a teacher before being appointed a Trustee of Queen's College in 1787. After the death of the Reverend Jacob Rutsen Hardenbergh in 1790 the Board of Trustees appointed Linn to serve as President pro tempore of Queen's College in 1791. During this time, the college fell into financial trouble, and temporarily closed its doors in 1795. Linn served for twenty-one years as a Regent of the University of the State of New York and died in 1808. [2] In 1789 he was elected the first Chaplain of the House of Representatives.[3]

He died on January 8, 1808, in Albany, New York.

References[edit]

  1. ^ Harrison, Richard A. (2014) [1981]. Princetonians, 1769-1775. Princeton University Press. ISBN 9780691615387.
  2. ^ "William Linn, President Pro Tem, 1791-1795". Rutgers University. Retrieved 2007-08-26.
  3. ^ "History of the Chaplaincy". Office of the Chaplain, United States House of Representatives. Retrieved 2008-09-20.