Philanthropist; born in
Northampton, Mass., May 22, 1786; received a common school education; established himself in business in
Portland, Me, and subsequently in
Montreal,
Canada, where he remained until the beginning of the
War of 1812.
He was the founder of Oberlin College, and erected Tappan Hall there; endowed Lane Theological Seminary in
Cincinnati; established a professorship at Auburn Theological Seminary; was one of the founders of the American Tract Society; and
[
7]
with his brother established the New York
Journal of commerce in 1828 and
The Emancipator in 1833.
He was the first president of the American Anti-slavery Society, to which he contributed $1,000 a month for several years, but withdrew in 1840 on account of the aggressive spirit manifested by many members towards the churches and the
Union; and during his later years was connected with a mercantile agency which his brother Lewis established.
He died in
New Haven, Conn., July 23, 1865.
