Mckeen, Joseph, Dd

Mckeen, Joseph, D.D., a Congregational minister, noted as an educator, was born Oct. 15, 1757, in Londonderry, N. H.; graduated at Dartmouth in 1774; served under general Sullivan in the Revolution; was licensed to preach, and ordained pastor in Beverly in May, 1785. In 1802 he was chosen first president of Bowdoin College, and was inaugurated Sept. 2. He died July 15, 1807. "Dr. McKeen possessed a strong and discriminating mind; his manners were conciliating though dignified, and his spirit mild though firm and decided. He was indefatigable in his exertions to promote the interests of science and religion. He was respectable for his learning and exemplary for his Christian virtues, being pious without ostentation, and adhering to evangelical truth without bigotry or superstition." He published his Inaugural Address and a few occasional Sermons. — Sprague, Annals, 2:216.