He was born on October 13 in New London County, Connecticut, the son of Jabez and Deborah (Fanning) Backus. He was brought up by a pious mother and a step-father "distinguished neither by industry, prudence, nor probity. " The piety of the mother could not prevail against other influences, and the boy early declared himself an infidel.
At the age of seventeen, however, he went to live with his uncle, Charles Backus, pastor of the Congregational Church at Somers, Connecticut, whose wise treatment of the lad resulted in his conversion.
Education
In 1787 he graduated from Yale, where he ranked high as a scholar and was popular with his fellows.
Career
On April 6, 1791 he was installed as pastor of the Congregational Church at Bethlehem, Connecticut, succeeding the noted Dr. Joseph Bellamy. That his misgivings about his fitness for the ministry had some foundation is shown by the fact that the only serious criticism of his preaching was that he could not keep his drolleries out of the pulpit, and that his witticisms were not always in good taste.
The sermon was published (1798), and is said to have been twice republished in England. Some years later, for alleged libelous statements made about President Jefferson, he was arraigned in the United States district court (Connecticut Courant, Oct. 1, 1806; Sept. 30, 1807). The case aroused much excitement; lawyers volunteered their services in his behalf, and friends offered financial aid. The case never was tried.
In September 1812, he was elected president of Hamilton College. He supervised the young institution in a paternalistic way and with reasonable success, but his career was cut short by a fever contracted while watching over a sick tutor. His publications include A Sermon Delivered at the Funeral of His Excellency Oliver Wolcott, Governor of the State of Connecticut, December 1, 1797; Absalom's Conspiracy (1798); An Inaugural Discourse Delivered in the Village of Clinton, December 3, 1812, by Rev. Azel Backus, D. D. , on the Day of His Induction into the Office of President of Hamilton College (1812); The Importance of Ministerial Fidelity (1813), a sermon at the ordination of John Frost; A Sermon at the Ordination of John B. Whittlesey (1814).
Achievements
Politics
He took interest in civil affairs and was passionately opposed to what he deemed the atheism and license of Jefferson and his following. Invited to preach the election sermon in 1798, with Absalom as an example he portrayed the character of the demagogue in such a way as to leave no doubt as to what living politician he had in mind.
Personality
He combined humor and pathos in his preaching and was frank and emphatic in his utterances.