Joseph Tracy

Joseph Tracy (1793–1874) was a Protestant Christian minister, newspaper editor, historian and leading figure in the American Colonization Society of the early to mid-19th century. He is noted as a typical figure of the New England Renaissance.

Early life and education

Joseph Tracy was born November 3, 1793 in Hartford, Vermont as the eldest child of Joseph and Ruth Carter Tracy. By his own account, he "was a farmer's boy and student alternately, or sometimes both at once," until he graduated with an Master of Arts from Dartmouth College in 1814, after election to the Phi Beta Kappa Society. The degree of was awarded him by the in 1859, after he had won his fame.

Early career

Like many other college graduates of his day, he first supported himself by teaching. In 1817 he was chosen as principal of Royalton Academy in Vermont. In a letter of recommendation it was said of him "I know him to be one of the best linguists and classical scholars in general who have been this number of years at Dartmouth College. . .You will find him to be not a fine gentleman nor a showy pedagogue but a useful instructor." It was there he met his first wife, Eleanor Washburn, whom he married in 1819. An admirer of educated women, he taught her Latin and began Greek, until the demands of family life cut short her studies. At this time, he also began the study of law.

Later life and work

However, he gave up the law for the ministry,...
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