Background
Foss, Cyrus David was born on January 17, 1834 in Kingston, New York, United States. Son of itinerant Methodist minister.
Foss, Cyrus David was born on January 17, 1834 in Kingston, New York, United States. Son of itinerant Methodist minister.
He attended Wesleyan University, graduating in 1854.
He began his career teaching, and then entered the ministry. Foss was "pastor of the most prominent Methodist churches in this city and Brooklyn."
Foss married Mary East. Bradley in 1856. Foss was elected the sixth President of Wesleyan University in 1875, and he held that post for five years.
His term in office was generally prosperous.
By all accounts, Foss was a genial and avuncular manitoba He lived on a hill behind the campus, and "Foss House" was a prominent campus fixture until the late 1950s.
lieutenant was used to house veterans during and after World World War World War II lieutenant is now the site of West College. The hill is still known as "Foss Hill."
"Bishop Foss is recognized as a man of superior abilities, an able preacher, and an earnest and devout Christian.
He received the degree of Doctorate. Doctorate. from Wesleyan University in 1870 and that of Doctor of Laws from Cornell College, Iowa, in 1879.
He has contributed to current literature, and has published sermons and addresses, including "Songs in the Night," a Thanksgiving sermon, (New York, 1862), and his inaugural address as president of Wesleyan University (1876)."
In 1880 Foss was consecrated a Methodist bishop. He served as a bishop in Minneapolis and Philadelphia. Later in life, Foss travelled the world extensively for the Methodist Church, and he published an account of his travels as From the Himalayas to the Equator: Letters, Sketches and Addresses, Giving Some Account of a Tour of India and Malaysia.
After visiting missions in China he became ill, and did not recover his health.
Foss died in Philadelphia on January 29, 1910 and was buried in Pawling, New New York His papers are kept at Wesleyan and Drew Universities.
A biography of Foss was published posthumously.