Andrew Wylie (IU)
Encyclopedia
Andrew Wylie was an American
academic and theologian, who was president of Jefferson College
(1811–1816) and Washington College
(1816–1828) before becoming the first president of Indiana University
(1829–1851).
, Ireland
and farmer in Fayette County, Pennsylvania
, Andrew was educated at home and in local schools in Washington County, Pennsylvania
. In 1804, at age fifteen, Wylie entered Jefferson College
, in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania
. He graduated with honors in 1810 and was immediately appointed a tutor at the college.
. He was licensed to preach in 1812, and in 1813 was ordained as a Presbyterian minister. In 1813 he married Margaret Ritchie, daughter of a wealthy Canonsburg merchant.
While president of Jefferson College, Wylie led a controversial effort to merge with nearby Washington College
. When that effort failed, in 1816 Wylie moved on to become president of Washington College
and pastor of the Presbyterian church. In 1825 Wylie was given an honorary
Doctorate of Divinity from Union College
, in Schenectady, New York
. Wylie resigned his presidency in 1828, over a theological dispute among local Presbyterian groups in Washington, Pennsylvania
.
He was close friends with William Holmes McGuffey
, who lived in Wylie's house for a time; they often would walk the 3 miles to Washington College together.
He was one of the original members of the Presbytery of Washington (in Pennsylvania
), which was founded on October 19, 1819.
and Latin
, and John Hopkins Harney
who taught mathematics
, natural philosophy
, mechanical philosophy and chemistry
. In addition to serving as President Wylie taught classes in moral philosophy, mental philosophy, rhetoric
, evidences of Christianity
, belles lettres, and the Constitution of the United States. When he arrived at Indiana College the total enrollment was 40 students. Additionally he found local schools lacking and established a preparatory department in the College. Several students from Washington College followed Wylie, to complete their degrees at Indiana College.
In 1837 he recruited his half-cousin Theophilus Adam Wylie
to Indiana College to teach mathematics
, natural philosophy
and chemistry
.
He guided the school through an important time of transition as the state legislature rechartered the college as Indiana University in 1838.
1842 Wylie established the law department at Indiana University, which became the School of Law in 1889.
In Bloomington, Wylie continued to have conflicts with Presbyterians over Calvinist theology. In 1841, he left the Presbyterian Church to become a deacon
in the Protestant Episcopal Church
, and became an ordained priest in 1842.
Wylie died in office in 1851 after complications from a wood chopping accident.
During his time as president at Indiana University, enrollment raised from 40 to 74 enrolled in the college, 58 in the preparatory department, and 28 in the law department.
Wylie’s Bloomington, Indiana
home, is preserved as the Wylie House Museum by Indiana University and is administered by the IU Libraries.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
academic and theologian, who was president of Jefferson College
Washington & Jefferson College
Washington & Jefferson College, also known as W & J College or W&J, is a private liberal arts college in Washington, Pennsylvania, in the United States, which is south of Pittsburgh...
(1811–1816) and Washington College
Washington & Jefferson College
Washington & Jefferson College, also known as W & J College or W&J, is a private liberal arts college in Washington, Pennsylvania, in the United States, which is south of Pittsburgh...
(1816–1828) before becoming the first president of Indiana University
Indiana University
Indiana University is a multi-campus public university system in the state of Indiana, United States. Indiana University has a combined student body of more than 100,000 students, including approximately 42,000 students enrolled at the Indiana University Bloomington campus and approximately 37,000...
(1829–1851).
Early life and education
The son of Adam Wylie, an immigrant from County AntrimCounty Antrim
County Antrim is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland. Adjoined to the north-east shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of 2,844 km², with a population of approximately 616,000...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
and farmer in Fayette County, Pennsylvania
Fayette County, Pennsylvania
Fayette County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the2010 census, the population was 136,606. The county is part of the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Statistical Area....
, Andrew was educated at home and in local schools in Washington County, Pennsylvania
Washington County, Pennsylvania
-Government and politics:As of November 2008, there are 152,534 registered voters in Washington County .* Democratic: 89,027 * Republican: 49,025 * Other Parties: 14,482...
. In 1804, at age fifteen, Wylie entered Jefferson College
Washington & Jefferson College
Washington & Jefferson College, also known as W & J College or W&J, is a private liberal arts college in Washington, Pennsylvania, in the United States, which is south of Pittsburgh...
, in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania
Canonsburg, Pennsylvania
Canonsburg is a borough in Washington County, Pennsylvania, southwest of Pittsburgh. Canonsburg was laid out by Colonel John Canon in 1789 and incorporated in 1802....
. He graduated with honors in 1810 and was immediately appointed a tutor at the college.
President of Jefferson and Washington Colleges
The next year, in 1811, Wylie was elected unanimously to serve as president of Jefferson CollegeWashington & Jefferson College
Washington & Jefferson College, also known as W & J College or W&J, is a private liberal arts college in Washington, Pennsylvania, in the United States, which is south of Pittsburgh...
. He was licensed to preach in 1812, and in 1813 was ordained as a Presbyterian minister. In 1813 he married Margaret Ritchie, daughter of a wealthy Canonsburg merchant.
While president of Jefferson College, Wylie led a controversial effort to merge with nearby Washington College
Washington & Jefferson College
Washington & Jefferson College, also known as W & J College or W&J, is a private liberal arts college in Washington, Pennsylvania, in the United States, which is south of Pittsburgh...
. When that effort failed, in 1816 Wylie moved on to become president of Washington College
Washington & Jefferson College
Washington & Jefferson College, also known as W & J College or W&J, is a private liberal arts college in Washington, Pennsylvania, in the United States, which is south of Pittsburgh...
and pastor of the Presbyterian church. In 1825 Wylie was given an honorary
Honorary degree
An honorary degree or a degree honoris causa is an academic degree for which a university has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, study, and the passing of examinations...
Doctorate of Divinity from Union College
Union College
Union College is a private, non-denominational liberal arts college located in Schenectady, New York, United States. Founded in 1795, it was the first institution of higher learning chartered by the New York State Board of Regents. In the 19th century, it became the "Mother of Fraternities", as...
, in Schenectady, New York
Schenectady, New York
Schenectady is a city in Schenectady County, New York, United States, of which it is the county seat. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 66,135...
. Wylie resigned his presidency in 1828, over a theological dispute among local Presbyterian groups in Washington, Pennsylvania
Washington, Pennsylvania
Washington is a city in and the county seat of Washington County, Pennsylvania, United States, within the Pittsburgh Metro Area in the southwestern part of the state...
.
He was close friends with William Holmes McGuffey
William Holmes McGuffey
William Holmes McGuffey was an American professor and college president who is best known for writing the McGuffey Readers, one of the nation's first and most widely used series of textbooks...
, who lived in Wylie's house for a time; they often would walk the 3 miles to Washington College together.
He was one of the original members of the Presbytery of Washington (in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
), which was founded on October 19, 1819.
President of Indiana University
In 1828, the trustees of the newly formed Indiana College wrote to Wylie offering him the position of president. Wylie accepted and began in the fall of 1829. There he joined two other faculty members, Baynard Rush Hall who taught Ancient GreekAncient Greek
Ancient Greek is the stage of the Greek language in the periods spanning the times c. 9th–6th centuries BC, , c. 5th–4th centuries BC , and the c. 3rd century BC – 6th century AD of ancient Greece and the ancient world; being predated in the 2nd millennium BC by Mycenaean Greek...
and Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
, and John Hopkins Harney
John Hopkins Harney
John Hopkins Harney was a Kentucky legislator native of Bourbon County, Kentucky. He was a distant cousin of General William Selby Harney....
who taught mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
, natural philosophy
Natural philosophy
Natural philosophy or the philosophy of nature , is a term applied to the study of nature and the physical universe that was dominant before the development of modern science...
, mechanical philosophy and chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
. In addition to serving as President Wylie taught classes in moral philosophy, mental philosophy, rhetoric
Rhetoric
Rhetoric is the art of discourse, an art that aims to improve the facility of speakers or writers who attempt to inform, persuade, or motivate particular audiences in specific situations. As a subject of formal study and a productive civic practice, rhetoric has played a central role in the Western...
, evidences of Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
, belles lettres, and the Constitution of the United States. When he arrived at Indiana College the total enrollment was 40 students. Additionally he found local schools lacking and established a preparatory department in the College. Several students from Washington College followed Wylie, to complete their degrees at Indiana College.
In 1837 he recruited his half-cousin Theophilus Adam Wylie
Theophilus Adam Wylie
Theophilus Adam Wylie was a Presbyterian minister, college professor, and president pro tem of Indiana University.-Early life:Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on October 8, 1810, Wylie was the son of Margaret Watson Wylie and Samuel Brown Wylie, Reformed Presbyterian minister and professor of...
to Indiana College to teach mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
, natural philosophy
Natural philosophy
Natural philosophy or the philosophy of nature , is a term applied to the study of nature and the physical universe that was dominant before the development of modern science...
and chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
.
He guided the school through an important time of transition as the state legislature rechartered the college as Indiana University in 1838.
1842 Wylie established the law department at Indiana University, which became the School of Law in 1889.
In Bloomington, Wylie continued to have conflicts with Presbyterians over Calvinist theology. In 1841, he left the Presbyterian Church to become a deacon
Deacon
Deacon is a ministry in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions...
in the Protestant Episcopal Church
Episcopal Church (United States)
The Episcopal Church is a mainline Anglican Christian church found mainly in the United States , but also in Honduras, Taiwan, Colombia, Ecuador, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, the British Virgin Islands and parts of Europe...
, and became an ordained priest in 1842.
Wylie died in office in 1851 after complications from a wood chopping accident.
During his time as president at Indiana University, enrollment raised from 40 to 74 enrolled in the college, 58 in the preparatory department, and 28 in the law department.
Wylie’s Bloomington, Indiana
Bloomington, Indiana
Bloomington is a city in and the county seat of Monroe County in the southern region of the U.S. state of Indiana. The population was 80,405 at the 2010 census....
home, is preserved as the Wylie House Museum by Indiana University and is administered by the IU Libraries.