About Henry Ward Beecher: Measurements, Age, Salary, Net Worth



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Henry Ward Beecher was born on June 24, 1813, in Litchfield, Connecticut. His father, Lyman Beecher, was a Calvinist minister who became one of the most prominent evangelical preachers of his day. His mother, Roxana Foote, died when Henry was only six. He was the youngest of thirteen children.

Beecher was educated at home by his father and older siblings until he was eleven, when he was sent to study at the Litchfield Academy. He excelled in his studies and was popular with his classmates. After graduation, he enrolled at Yale College, where he studied theology and philosophy.

Beecher’s career as a minister began in 1837, when he was ordained as a Congregationalist minister and given a small congregation in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. He was an effective preacher and soon became well-known throughout the region. In 1847, he returned to his hometown of Litchfield to take over his father’s congregation.

Beecher became increasingly involved in the anti-slavery movement during the 1850s. He was an outspoken critic of slavery and a supporter of the Underground Railroad, which helped fugitive slaves escape to freedom. He also wrote a number of books and articles on the subject.

In 1856, Beecher’s sister, Harriet Beecher Stowe, published Uncle Tom’s Cabin, a novel about slavery that became a bestseller and helped to rally public opinion against slavery.

Beecher’s career as a minister came to an end in 1864, when he was accused of adultery. He was tried and acquitted, but the scandal damaged his reputation and he was forced to resign from his congregation.

After the scandal, Beecher largely retired from public life. He wrote occasional articles and gave occasional speeches, but he largely stayed out of the limelight. He died on March 8, 1887, at the age of 73.

Beecher was a controversial figure in his day, but he is now widely considered to be one of the most important figures in the history of the anti-slavery movement. His work helped to rally public opinion against slavery and paved the way for its eventual abolition.

Source: IMDb, Wikipedia