Caldwell, Samuel L., D.D., president of Vassar College, was born in Newburyport, Mass., Nov. 13, 1820.

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Daily Baptist Encyclopedia Post by Jim Curran

Caldwell, Samuel L., D.D., president of Vassar College, was born in Newburyport, Mass., Nov. 13, 1820. His ancestors were early settlers on that coast. He was prepared for college in the grammar school ‘of his native town. After a four years’ course he was graduated from Waterville College, Me., in 1839. On leaving college he took charge of the Academy at Hampton Falls, N. H. Soon after that he was head-master of the West Gram- mar School, of Newburyport, for three years. After teaching three years he entered the theo- logical’ seminary at Newton, Mass., where he was graduated in 1845, During the subsequent win- ter he preached for the Baptist church in Alex- andria, Va. In the spring of 1846, he took charge of the First Baptist church of Bangor, Mich., and was ordained as its pastor. The union continued twelve years, and the church was greatly strength- ened. In 1856 he accepted the pastoral charge of the First Baptist church of Providence, R. IJ., whose pulpit had been vacated by the death of James N. Granger, D.D. After a ministry of over fifteen years, he resigned to accept the professorship of Church History in Newton Theological Institu- tion. He ably filled this post five years, and on the death of John H. Raymond, LL.D., the president of Vassar College, Dr. Caldwell was elected his successor, and entered upon the duties of the posi- tion in September, 1858. His ability and special fitness for the high office are admitted by all, and that noble educational institution will, it is be- lieved, rise to still grander proportions under his administration. From the Baptist Encyclopedia by William Cathcart photos from findagrave