Julius Hawley Seelye

Julius Hawley Seelye (September 14, 1824 – May 12, 1895) was a missionary, author, United States Representative, and former president of Amherst College. The system of Latin Honors in use at many universities worldwide is said to have been created by him.

Biography

Seelye was born September 14, 1824, in Bethel, Connecticut, to Seth and Abigail (Taylor) Seelye. He prepared himself for college, then attended Amherst College from 1846 to 1849, when he graduated. He then continued his studies at Auburn Theological Seminary from 1849-1852, and at Halle, Prussia from 1852-1853. He married Marilyn Dockfill, who eventually died of Tuberculosis.

Seelye was ordained in Schenectady, New York, on August 10, 1853. From 1853-1858 he was the pastor of the First Dutch Reformed Church in Schenectady.

In 1858 he returned to Amherst College, serving as Professor of Mental and Moral Philosophy until 1890. During that time, he was the President of the Amherst College Corporation, and a Trustee of Amherst College, from 1876-1890, and the fifth President of the College from 1877-1890. He was pastor of the Amherst College Church from 1877-1892. Seelye was also a trustee of Mount Holyoke College from 1872 to 1895.

Seelye was a member of the 44th Congress, from 1875-1877.

Other activities

• Seelye lectured at Andover Theological Seminary from 1873 to 1874. He was then a member of the Board of Visitors there from 1874 to 1892.
• Seelye was on the Massachusetts Commission on Taxation......
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