William Swan Plumer

For other people named William Plumer, see William Plumer (disambiguation).
William Swan Plumer, American clergyman, author and religious educator.

William Swan Plumer (July 26, 1802 – October 22, 1880) was an American clergyman, theologian and author who was recognized as an intellectual leader of the Presbyterian Church in the 1800s.

Early life

William S. Plumer was born in Greensburg, Pennsylvania on July 26, 1802. He graduated from Washington College (now Washington and Lee University in Virginia) in 1825, received his religious education at Princeton Theological Seminary in New Jersey, and was ordained in the Presbyterian Church. New Jersey's New Brunswick Presbytery licensed Plumer as a clergyman in 1826, and the state's Orange Presbytery ordained him as an evangelist in 1827.

Career as clergyman

Plumer was the minister of several churches during his career, most notably: First Presbyterian Church, Richmond, Virginia (1834–1846); Franklin Street Presbyterian Church, Baltimore, Maryland (1847–1854); Central Presbyterian Church, Allegheny, Pennsylvania (1854–1862); Arch Street Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1862–1865); and Second Presbyterian Church, Pottsville, Pennsylvania (1865–1867).

From 1837 to 1845 Plumer was the editor of The Watchman of the South, a weekly Presbyterian newspaper which he had founded while serving as pastor in Richmond. He was also a founder of Staunton's Institution for the Blind, Deaf, & Dumb.

Plumer moderated General Assemblies of different sects of the Presbyterian Church of the United States in 1838 (Old School) and 1871 (Southern).

Career as educator

Plumer as depicted in 1884's Encyclopedia of the Presbyterian Church.

In addition to his career in the pulpit, Plumer was a highly regarded religious instructor, and his teaching positions included: Professor at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania (1854–1862); Professor of Didactic and Polemic Theology (1867–1875) at Columbia Theological Seminary in South Carolina; and Professor of Pastoral, Casuistic, and Historical Theology (1875–1880) at Columbia.

Career as author

Plumer authored at least 25 books, including commentaries on Romans, Hebrews, and Psalms, as well as numerous tracts and pamphlets, and magazine and newspaper articles. Many of his articles were published anonymously, so the number of writings he produced cannot be calculated with accuracy.

Death and burial

Plumer died in Baltimore on October 22, 1880. He was buried at Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond.[1]

Family

In 1829 Plumer married a widow, Eliza Garden Hassell, in Hillsboro, North Carolina. She died in 1878 and is also buried at Hollywood Cemetery.[2]

Honors

Plumer was the recipient of several honorary degrees, including: three Doctors of Divinity (D.D.) (Washington & Lee, Lafayette College, and Washington & Jefferson College); and one LL.D. (University of Mississippi).

Written works

(Partial list of works known to be, or presumed to be, authored by William Swan Plumer)

References

  1. ↑ William Swan Plumer at Find a Grave
  2. ↑ Eliza Garden Plumer at Find a Grave
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