The Biographical Dictionary of America/Backus, Azel

BACKUS, Azel, educator, was born at Norwich, Conn., Oct. 13, 1765. He was graduated from Yale college in 1787, and, although brought up a Congregationalist, acquired deistic beliefs at college. Through the influence of his uncle, Rev. Charles Backus, he refrained from entering the army and became a Presbyterian minister. He served the church at Bethlehem, Conn., where he remained the pastor until 1812, when upon the founding of Hamilton college, Clinton, N. Y., he was elected its first president, holding the office up to the time of his death. Princeton and Hamilton conferred on him the degree of S. T. D. in 1810, and Yale the same degree in 1816. He died at Clinton, N. Y., Dec. 28, 1816. On his tombstone has been carved his biography in Latin, the translation of which is as follows: "Here lies buried, Azel Backus, D. D., a man of remarkable piety and learning, a zealous minister of the gospel, a distinguished president of Hamilton college; a man of extraordinary diligence, and greatly endeared to the members of the institution. In him were conspicuous the highest benevolence towards his fellow-men, incorruptible integrity and uncompromising truth. His wife survives to lament his loss; and we who knew him mourn also. The corporation of Hamilton college have erected this monument to the memory of their beloved and venerated president. He was pastor of the church in Bethlehem, Conn., twenty-two years, president of Hamilton college four years. He departed this life Dec. 28, A. D. 1816, aged fifty-two years."