BENJAMIN W. DWIGHT
Among the foremost educators of the last generation in the State of New York
Benjamin Woodley Dwight was unquestionable one of the ablest and most
successful. He possessed in a remarkable degree the element, which,
combined with other qualifications, made him a master molder and developer
of the student mind. He was a man of large mind and broad education, with
keen perceptibilities and the faculty of inspiring the scholars with whom he
came in contact with a zeal that carried them resolutely into the work in
hand, and over all the obstacles to success. His heart and mind and energy
entered into the labor as only those who can have a natural adaptability as
an instructor. Those who were so fortunate as to come under his instruction
in school life became imbued with his enthusiasm to such a degree that they
carried it with them out into the various walks of life. He had the
reputation among them of being the “livest” teacher that ever led a class.
Mr. Dwight was born at New Haven, Conn., April 5, 1816. He graduated at Hamilton College in the class of 1835, and the same year entered the New Haven Theological Seminary to prepare for the ministry. He completed his course there in 1838 and the following year returned to Hamilton College as tutor, which position he occupied till 1842. He then went to Joliet, Ill., where by great effort he founded the Presbyterian Church, remaining there two years. His desire to teach was so strong, however, that he resigned his pastorate and came east to Brooklyn, where he established Dwight’s High School. This he conducted with signal success form 1846 to 1858.
Clinton was then as it is today an educational center, with the additional stimulus of beautiful environments, the gift of nature. Mr. Dwight decided to return to Clinton and establish a school. Therefore in the fall of 1858 he opened Dwight’s Rural High school. His reputation as a teacher insured him success from the start, and from that time to 1863 Dwight’s Rural High School was one f the leading educational institutions of the State.
Prof. Dwight had in the mean while been an earnest, indefatigable worker in the field of literature, and the time found him with such an amount of this kind of work on hand, he retired from the school to devote himself to literary work. The school then passed into the hands of Prof. David Holbrook.
Prof. Dwight was the author of several noted works in various fields of thought. His work on Modern Philology is one of the standard textbooks of the time. “Higher Christian Education,” “Women’s Higher Culture, and “True Doctrine of Divine Providence” were among the later publications. Beside these he wrote a history of the Dwight family, also one of the Strong family, the later being that of his mother. He received the degree of Ph. D. from Columbia College. His father was Dr. Benjamin Woolsey Dwight, born at Northampton, Mass., February 10, 1780. He graduated from Yale College in 1799, and received his medical education in Philadelphia. Physical disability, however, prevented him from actively prosecuting his professional work, so he entered into business in New Haven. He married, in 1815, Sophia Woodbridge, daughter of Rev. Joseph and Sophia (Woodbridge) Strong. They later moved to Catskill and in 1831 to Clinton. Dr. Dwight was for nineteen years treasurer of Hamilton College. He died May 18, 1850, and his wife, Sophia died December 2, 1861.
Prof. Dwight married Charlotte S., daughter of Townsend and Ann Norris Parish of Oyster Bay, Long Island. Mrs. Dwight was educated at Willoughby, Ohio, and was subsequently for many years principal of Ingham University at Leroy, N. Y. She is a lady of broad intellect and extensive culture. She has one daughter, Bertha, Woolsey, who is at home.
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