Horace Holley was an American clergyman and educator. He served as a Unitarian minister, and President of the University of Transylvania in Lexington, Kentucky.
Background
Horace Holley was born on February 13, 1781 in Salisbury, Connecticut, United States. He was the second of six sons of Luther Holley, a farmer, merchant, and trader, and Sarah Dakin, the daughter of a Baptist minister. He spent his early years at school and in the usual sports of childhood.
Education
In 1797 Holley went to the Academy of Williams College. On completing the course he entered the freshman class at Yale in 1799, and after a brilliant undergraduate course, he graduated in 1803. The next winter he was a student of law in New York City, but largely through the influence of Timothy Dwight, he returned to New Haven to study theology.
Career
Holley's first charge was at Greenfield Hill, Fairfield, Connecticut, where he remained three years. Then, after receiving various calls, he accepted the invitation of the South End Church, Hollis Street, Boston, March 8, 1809, and for nine years he served as pastor of the church. He was also active in other affairs of the city, being a member of the Boston school committee and of the board of overseers of Harvard College.
On June 25, 1818, Holley accepted the call to the presidency of Transylvania University which had been chartered as a "public school" by the Virginia Assembly in May 1780. It had had a precarious existence and had grown very slowly. The Presbyterians were the pioneers of education in Kentucky and had furnished most of the school's teachers and principals, so that they had come to feel a spiritual, if not a legal, ownership of the institution. When Holley, a Unitarian, was chosen as president, it awakened the hostility of the Presbyterians especially, although as soon as he assumed his office the university began a period of unparalleled growth in numbers and reputation.
The college was reorganized, the law and medical schools were revived under excellent faculties, and the institution drew students from the far Southern and Western states. Particularly, the medical department attained prestige. But in spite of this great progress, Holley's liberal religious views provoked opposition throughout the state and finally resulted in his resignation. He left Lexington on March 27, 1827, escorted by a large number of students, citizens, and friends, and took boat for New Orleans. Here many prominent citizens urged him to found a college as a successor to the defunct College of New Orleans. He entered upon the work with his usual zest and impetuosity, but his exertions through the hot summer brought on an illness, and he determined to take a sea voyage to New York before the opening of the college. The fifth day out he contracted yellow fever, and five days later he died and was buried at sea.
Achievements
Religion
Holley was a member of the Unitarian church.
Connections
In January 1805 he married Mary Austin, the daughter of Elijah and Esther (Phelps) Austin of New Haven. They had two children.