John Hanson Twombly (July 19, 1814 – January 1, 1893) was a
Methodist
Methodism, also called the Methodist movement, is a group of historically related denominations of Protestant Christianity whose origins, doctrine and practice derive from the life and teachings of John Wesley. George Whitefield and John's b ...
minister and the fourth president of the
University of Wisconsin
A university () is an institution of higher (or tertiary) education and research which awards academic degrees in several academic disciplines. Universities typically offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. In the United States, t ...
. He was known as an advocate for co-education and women's education, which led to tensions with the university regents and, ultimately, his ouster.
Early life and career
John Hanson Twombly was born on July 19, 1814 in
Rochester, New Hampshire
Rochester is a city in Strafford County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 32,492 at the 2020 census. In addition to the downtown area, the city contains the villages of East Rochester, New Hampshire, East Rochester, Gonic, New Ha ...
.
He was mostly self-educated and worked through his youth.
In 1843, he graduated from
Wesleyan University
Wesleyan University ( ) is a Private university, private liberal arts college, liberal arts university in Middletown, Connecticut. Founded in 1831 as a Men's colleges in the United States, men's college under the auspices of the Methodist Epis ...
and became a
Methodist
Methodism, also called the Methodist movement, is a group of historically related denominations of Protestant Christianity whose origins, doctrine and practice derive from the life and teachings of John Wesley. George Whitefield and John's b ...
minister.
He taught at Wesleyan University from 1843 to 1845.
[ ] Twombly married Betsy Dow, the daughter of a Vermont minister, on November 26, 1844.
He worked at Massachusetts churches and became an overseer at
Harvard College
Harvard College is the undergraduate college of Harvard University, an Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Founded in 1636, Harvard College is the original school of Harvard University, the oldest institution of higher lea ...
from 1855 to 1867.
He also worked as the New England Education Society secretary from 1857 to 1871, the American Institute director from 1868 to 1870, and
Charlestown, Massachusetts
Charlestown is the oldest neighborhood in Boston, Massachusetts, in the United States. Originally called Mishawum by the Massachusett tribe, it is located on a peninsula north of the Charles River, across from downtown Boston, and also adjoins t ...
public schools superintendent from 1866 to 1870.
Madison
Twombly was elected to the
University of Wisconsin–Madison
A university () is an educational institution, institution of higher education, higher (or Tertiary education, tertiary) education and research which awards academic degrees in several Discipline (academia), academic disciplines. Universities ty ...
presidency by the UW regents on June 30, 1871 for a September start.
He was the university's fourth president.
Samuel Fallows
Samuel Fallows (December 13, 1835September 5, 1922) was an English American immigrant, minister, lecturer, and author. He was the 9th Superintendent of Public Instruction of Wisconsin and served as Presiding Bishop of the Reformed Episcopal C ...
, UW class of 1859 and a local
Reformed Episcopal Church
The Reformed Episcopal Church (REC) is an Anglican church of evangelical Episcopalian heritage. It was founded in 1873 in New York City by George David Cummins, a former bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church.
The REC is a founding member of ...
bishop, was Twombly's main advocate. The regents thought he would raise funds for the university. He was known as a powerful speaker and advocated for co-education against the interests of the regents.
The regents withheld some of his executive power due to their doubt, and eventually asked him to resign in June 1873.
He refused and their case was brought to the
Wisconsin Legislature
The Wisconsin Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The Legislature is a bicameral body composed of the upper house, Wisconsin State Senate, and the lower Wisconsin State Assembly, both of which have had Republican ...
,
who supported Twombly along with the public and students. He never found the favor of the faculty.
[ ] Twombly resigned on January 21, 1874
in response to the regents' determination. His legacy includes his advocacy for women's education.
He became a minister again, and worked in Northeast churches.
He died January 1, 1893 in
Newton Lower Falls
Newton Lower Falls, Massachusetts is one of the thirteen villages within the city of Newton in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. The commercial area extends across the river into Wellesley, Massachusetts, where it is known as Wellesl ...
,
.
[ ]
See also
*
References
Sources
*
External links
{{DEFAULTSORT:Twombly, John Hanson
1814 births
1893 deaths
People from Charlestown, Boston
People from Rochester, New Hampshire
People from Madison, Wisconsin
Wesleyan University alumni
Methodist ministers
Members of the Harvard Board of Overseers
Leaders of the University of Wisconsin-Madison