The Biographical Dictionary of America/Baird, Henry Matrin

BAIRD, Henry Martin, educator, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., Jan. 17, 1823; son of Robert and Fermine Ophelia Amaryllis (Du Buisson) Baird. In 1850 he was graduated at the University of the city of New York with valedictory honors. During 1851-'52 he studied at the University of Athens; from 1853 to 1855 he attended the Union theological seminary, N. Y.; from 1855 to 1859 he continued his theological studies at Princeton theological seminary, Princeton, N. J., at the same time acting as tutor in the College of New Jersey. In 1859 he was made professor of Greek language and literature at the University of the city of New York. In 1866 he was ordained a minister of the Presbyterian church, and in 1873 was elected corresponding secretary of the American and foreign Christian union, holding the office until 1884. He also served as first vice-president of the American society of church history; president of Yonkers historical society, and member of many prominent societies, both in America and in Europe. He received the degrees A. B., 1850, and A. M., 1854. from the University of the city of New York; Ph. D., 1867, from the College of New Jersey; D. D., 1877, from Rutgers college, and LL. D., 1882, from the College of New Jersey. His publications include: "Modern Greece" (1856); "Life of the Rev. Robert Baird, D. D." (1866); "History of the Rise of the Huguenots of France" (1879); "Bernard Palissy" (1882); "The Huguenots and Henry of Navarre" (1886), and monographs of great historical interest, among which may be noted: "The French Synods of the Desert" (1888); "Camisard Uprising of the French Protestants" (1889); "Diplomatic Services of Benjamin Franklin" (1890); "The Chambre Ardente, and French Protestantism under Henry II." (1891), and "Influence of the Protestant Reformation on Civil and Political Institutions" (1892).