Burleson, Richard Byrd, LL.D., son of Jonathan Burleson, was born near Decatur, Ala., and died at Waco, Dec. 21, 1879.

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Baptist Church History Published by Jim Curran

 7/16/23  · Daily Baptist EncyclopediaPost by Jim Curran

Burleson, Richard Byrd, LL.D., son of Jonathan Burleson, was born near Decatur, Ala., and died at Waco, Dec. 21, 1879. (Note this is in error- 1880 is on the tombstone)In 1839 he was con- verted, and three days after was baptized by Rev. William H. Holcombe. In 1840 he entered Nash- ville University, and remained three years. During the pastorate of Dr. R. B. C. Howell he was li- censed to preach by the First Baptist church of Nashville in 1841. He was called to ordination by the church at Athens, Ala., November, 1842, and was the pastor of that church for two years. In 1845 he accepted the call of the Baptist church in Tuscumbia, and remained their pastor four years. In 1849 he was made president of Moulton Fe- male Institute, and held that position about six years. In December, 1855, he removed to Texas, and became. in 1856, pastor of the Austin church, conducting at the same time a female school. In 1857 he was chosen Professor of Natural Science in Baylor University. In 1861 he was elected vice- president of Waco University, and Professor of Natural Science in that institution. As a student in theology, geology, botany, and astronomy he had no superior, and probably no equal, in Texas. Governor Richard Coke, knowing his eminence, gave him an appointment for the geological survey of Texas; but he resigned this position after one year’s service, as it conflicted with his life work of founding a great Baptist university for Texas. As a teacher, thousands can testify that his zeal and ability were never surpassed. Neither private in- terest nor bodily pains ever detained him from the post of duty for twenty-three years. He con- tributed largely to the great success of Baylor and Waco Universities; to the latter of which he gave eighteen years of toil and sacrifice, and intense anxiety for its firm establishment. He was a preacher of distinguished ability, and a teacher eminently qualified for his work. [lis piety was ardent, his life was holy, and his death was blessed. The hymn which was sung several times at his request, at his expiring couch, showed the character of his dying exercises: “How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, Is laid for your faith in his excellent Word!” A procession of carriages a mile in length fol- lowed his remains to their last resting-place, and sorrow filled thousands of hearts for the loss that had fallen upon the university, the churches, and the whole State. From the Baptist Encyclopedia by William Cathcart photos from findagrave