Humphreys, Hector, Dd

Humphreys, Hector, D.D.

a Protestant Episcopal clergyman, was born at Canton, Connecticut, June 8, 1797. He pursued his studies at the academy in Westfield, and graduated in 1818 from Yale College. His purpose was to enter the ministry of the Congregational Church; but, having abandoned this project, he joined the Protestant Episcopal communion, and was admitted, after due preparation, to the bar. When Washington College was established, he was elected its first professor of ancient languages. His predilection for the ministry led him to ordination, but he continued to discharge the duties of his professorship until 1831, when he was appointed president of St. John's College, Annapolis, Maryland. He died there, January 25, 1857. Although familiar with all branches of literature, he devoted himself particularly to natural science, and he published many articles urging the application of chemistry to agriculture. See Amer. Quar. Church Rev. 1857, page 146.