Backus, Charles

Backus, Charles D.D., an eminent Congregational minister, was born in Norwich, Conn., Nov. 5, 1749. He lost his parents in his childhood, but, as he early discovered a love of learning, his friends assisted him to obtain a liberal education. He graduated A.B. at Yale in 1769, and, after studying theology under Dr. Hart, of Preston, he was licensed in 1773. In 1774 he was ordained pastor of the Congregational Church in Somers, where he remained until his death, December 30,1803. During the course of his ministry nearly fifty young men studied theology under his roof, and among them were Dr. Woods, of Andover, President Moore, of Amherst, and others. His reputation brought him invitations to the chair of theology at Dartmouth, and also at Yale, but he declined both calls. He published a number of occasional sermons. — Sprague, Annals, 2:61.