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Jasper Adams was an American clergyman, college professor of mathematics and natural philosophy, and college president.
Background
Jasper Adams was born on August 27, 1793 in East Medway, Massachusetts, United States. He was one of the numerous descendants of Henry Adams.
His father was Jasper Adams, and his mother, whose first name is variously given as Ama, Anna, Amy, and Emma, was the daughter of Nathaniel and Elizabeth Rounds.
Education
He prepared for college under Rev. Luther Wright, graduated from Brown University in 1815, and then taught at Phillips Andover Academy for three years, during two of which he also studied at Andover Theological Seminary.
Career
After serving as tutor at Brown for a year, he was appointed, in 1819, professor of mathematics and natural philosophy. In 1820 he was ordained priest in the Episcopal Church.
His principal educational work was done in connection with Charleston College, of which he was president from 1824 to 1836, except for an interim of about eighteen months. It was then little more than a preparatory school, nearly bankrupt, without suitable buildings, and in ill repute. Almost single-handed, in the face of the pessimism and indifference of its trustees, he did everything possible for its prosperity.
Apparently discouraged by lack of support, in 1826 he accepted a call to become the first president of Geneva (Hobart) College, New York.
The loss of his services awakened the trustees to an appreciation of his value, and in 1828 they summoned him back, offering him a practically free hand. Their assurances and the warmer climate led him to return, and he still further raised the standard of the institution.
After his resignation, in 1836, he engaged in literary work, and from 1838 to 1840 was chaplain and professor of geography, history, and ethics at the United States Military Academy, West Point.
Returning to the South, he took charge of a seminary in Pendleton, South Carolina, in 1840, but died the following year.
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Religion
He was a member of the Episcopal Church.
Membership
Fellow member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (1835)
Personality
Adams was a good scholar, an unusually able administrator, and a man of great practical wisdom, energy, and determination.
Connections
On May 16 of 1820 he was married to Mercy Daniels Wheeler of Medway, who died November 11, 1821. Three years later he married Placida Mayrant of Charleston, South Carolina. They had four daughters and one son.