Eleazar Wheelock, American minister and academic, founded Dartmouth College (b. 1711)

Eleazar Wheelock, a prominent figure in 18th-century colonial America, was born on April 22, 1711, and passed away on April 24, 1779. Known for his multifaceted career, he distinguished himself as an influential Congregational minister, a compelling orator, and a dedicated educator. For approximately 35 years, his base of operations was Lebanon, Connecticut, a period during which he laid significant groundwork for his later, more widely recognized achievement: the founding of Dartmouth College in New Hampshire.

Wheelock’s pedagogical journey began with a strong commitment to education, particularly for Native Americans. A notable individual he mentored was Samson Occom, a member of the Mohegan Nation. Occom, under Wheelock's tutelage, not only embraced Presbyterianism to become an ordained minister but also achieved the significant distinction of being the first Native American to have his writings published in English, a testament to his intellect and Wheelock’s early educational efforts.

The Moor's Charity School: A Vision for Native American Education

Prior to establishing Dartmouth College, Eleazar Wheelock embarked on an ambitious educational endeavor right in Connecticut. He founded and personally ran "Moor's Charity School," a pioneering institution established with the explicit mission to educate Native American youth. This school was a direct reflection of Wheelock's early evangelical and educational convictions, aiming to provide academic and vocational training to its students, many of whom were drawn from various Indigenous communities across New England.

Moor's Charity School, named after Joshua Moor who donated the land, operated for several years, offering a curriculum that included reading, writing, arithmetic, and religious instruction. It was here that students like Samson Occom flourished, demonstrating the potential for Indigenous scholars and leaders. However, the school faced numerous challenges, including funding difficulties and the practicalities of operating in its Connecticut location, which eventually led Wheelock to consider a new path for his educational vision.

The Birth of Dartmouth College and a Shifting Focus

The transition from Moor's Charity School to Dartmouth College marked a significant evolution in Wheelock's educational aspirations. The funds raised, largely through the tireless efforts of Samson Occom in Great Britain, were initially intended to support and expand the mission of educating Native Americans. Occom's eloquent appeals across England and Scotland garnered substantial financial backing from philanthropists who believed in the cause of Indigenous education. However, as the plans for a new institution solidified, particularly with a royal charter granted by King George III in 1769 and a significant land grant from Governor John Wentworth, the focus of the nascent Dartmouth College began to broaden.

While the charter explicitly mentioned the education of "youth of the Indian tribes," the institution that emerged in Hanover, New Hampshire, was primarily designed to serve a different demographic. Dartmouth College, from its inception, largely catered to the sons of American colonists, offering a classical curriculum that prepared them for roles in ministry, law, and other professions vital to colonial society. This shift in emphasis, from a school dedicated almost exclusively to Native Americans to a college whose primary beneficiaries were colonial youths, became a complex and often debated aspect of Eleazar Wheelock's legacy and the early history of Dartmouth.

FAQs About Eleazar Wheelock and Dartmouth's Founding

Who was Eleazar Wheelock?

Eleazar Wheelock was an American Congregational minister, orator, and educator in colonial Connecticut. He is primarily remembered as the founder of Dartmouth College.

What was Wheelock's role in Lebanon, Connecticut?

For 35 years, Wheelock served as a minister and educator in Lebanon, Connecticut. During this period, he founded and ran Moor's Charity School, which was established to educate Native Americans.

Who was Samson Occom and what was his significance?

Samson Occom was a Mohegan individual tutored by Wheelock. He became a Presbyterian minister and was the first Native American to publish writings in English. Occom played a crucial role in fundraising for Wheelock's educational endeavors in Great Britain.

What was Moor's Charity School?

Moor's Charity School was an institution founded by Eleazar Wheelock in Connecticut before Dartmouth College. Its primary purpose was to provide education and vocational training to Native American students.

How did Dartmouth College come to be founded?

Dartmouth College evolved from Wheelock's earlier Moor's Charity School. With a royal charter granted in 1769 and significant fundraising (much of it by Samson Occom) and land grants, Wheelock moved his educational enterprise to Hanover, New Hampshire, to establish Dartmouth.

Who was Dartmouth College primarily intended for at its founding?

Although its charter mentioned the education of Native Americans, Dartmouth College was primarily established to educate the sons of American colonists, marking a significant shift from the initial focus of Moor's Charity School.