Timothy Dwight, d. 1817

Timothy Dwight writer, poet, minister, President of Yale b. 1752 d. 1817 Born in 1752, Dwight was a grandson of Jonathan Edwards. He entered Yale at 13 and was a voracious reader. His love for reading caused eyedamage to the point of partial blindness which caused him to wear the thick spectacles that became a defining characteristic. Dwight taught school, became a minister, a chaplain in the Continental Army and served in the Massachusetts legislature. In 1795 he became president of Yale. Dwight was prominent in literary circles and was among the most prolific witers and poets during the early National period.

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