Joseph Willard was an American Congregational clergyman and academic.
Background
Joseph Willard was born December 29, 1738 in Biddeford, York County. He was the son of Rev. Samuel and Abigail (Wright) Willard of Biddeford, Me. , a great-grandson of Rev. Samuel Willard, 1639/40-1707, and a great-great-grandson of Simon Willard, one of the founders of Concord, Massachussets Joseph tried first the sea and then medicine, but his abilities attracted the attention of schoolmaster Samuel Moody of York.
Education
He graduated from Harvard in 1765.
Career
Because of his progress in the classics he was rewarded with the post of college butler and, in 1766, that of tutor in Greek. In 1767 he accepted a call to the church in Haverhill, but something prevented his being settled there. He resigned his tutorship to take the pulpit at Beverly, Massachussets, in 1772, and on November 25 he was ordained despite the objections of a considerable minority.
In 1780 he took part in the formation of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and for many years served as corresponding secretary and vice-president, besides being one of the leading contributors to its publications. His position as secretary brought him into correspondence with the leading men of science and letters in Europe and America, and he was soon well known for his work in astronomy and mathematics as well as in the classics. John Adams thought him the equal of David Rittenhouse as a scientist. As early as 1773 Willard's brilliance had caused him to be mentioned for the Harvard presidency, and after the resignation of Samuel Langdon in 1780 he was the natural candidate. Such, however, was the condition of the college as a result of the war and the vagaries of the treasurer, John Hancock, that he was not inaugurated until December 19, 1781. Willard was a noted Federalist, which fact probably influenced the General Court to cut off, once and for all, the assistance which the college had received from the government; but the redemption of the Continental certificates of indebtedness, to which Harvard had trustingly clung, made it possible for the new president to repair the ravages of the war. He raised entrance requirements, broadened the field of instruction, founded the medical school, and longed to travel in Europe to learn from the universities there. His correspondence with Richard Price, Joseph Priestley, and the other European intelligentsia brought the college many valuable gifts. In matters of religion and learning his administration was liberal enough to win their approval.
He died at New Bedford September 25, 1804.
Achievements
Politics
During the Revolution he was an active Whig.
Personality
With the teaching staff he was gentle, laconic, and respectful of the opinions of the youngest. The students, awed by his impressive physique and his dignity, did not riot as they did under the presidents before and after him. They failed, however, to see the deep interest which he took in them under his reserve, and thought him stiff and formal.
Connections
He was married, March 7, 1774, to Mary, daughter of Jacob and Hannah (Seavery) Sheafe of Portsmouth, N. H. He had thirteen children.