Elizur Goodrich (clergyman)

Elizur Goodrich (20 October 1734, in Wethersfield, now Rocky Hill, Conn. – 22 November 1797, in Norfolk, Conn.), was an American clergyman and scholar. He graduated

Yale University Yale University is a private research university in New Haven, Connecticut. Established in 1701 as the Collegiate School, it is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States and among the most prestigious in the wo ...

in 1752, and was tutor there in 1755-6. He was then ordained as a

Congregational Congregational churches (also Congregationalist churches or Congregationalism) are Protestant churches in the Calvinist tradition practising congregationalist church governance, in which each congregation independently and autonomously runs its ...

minister, and settled in Durham, Conn., retaining his pastorate till 1797. In 1766, to supplement his income, he began to prepare students for college. His thorough scholarship made him a successful teacher, and during the following twenty years he instructed more than 300 young men. He was frequently sent by the general association of Connecticut as a delegate to conventions and synods in

New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States New York may also refer to: Film and television * '' ...

and

Philadelphia Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the sixth-largest city in the U.S., the second-largest city in both the Northeast megalopolis and Mid-Atlantic regions after New York City. Sinc ...

from 1766 till 1777. He was an able astronomer, and spent much time in mathematical studies, calculating the eclipses of each successive year. He drew up the fullest and most accurate account ever published of the

aurora borealis An aurora (plural: auroras or aurorae), also commonly known as the polar lights, is a natural light display in Earth's sky, predominantly seen in high-latitude regions (around the Arctic and Antarctic). Auroras display dynamic patterns of br ...

of 1780. He accumulated a library which was regarded as the largest and most complete ever brought into the colonies on private account. Dr. Goodrich was at one time a candidate for

governor of Connecticut The governor of Connecticut is the head of government of Connecticut, and the commander-in-chief of the state's military forces. The governor has a duty to enforce state laws, and the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the Connecticu ...

, and in 1777 his name was proposed for the presidency of Yale, but the opposing candidate, Dr. Stiles, was elected by a small majority. He was a fellow of the college from 1770 till 1797, and served on its prudential committee during the whole of Dr. Stiles's presidency, and a part of that of Dr. Dwight. He received the degree of D. D. from

Princeton college Princeton University is a private research university in Princeton, New Jersey. Founded in 1746 in Elizabeth as the College of New Jersey, Princeton is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States and one of the ni ...

in 1783. His published works consist of sermons and addresses (1761-'90). {{DEFAULTSORT:Goodrich, Elizur 1734 births 1797 deaths Yale University faculty American Congregationalist ministers Yale University alumni 18th-century American clergy