William Greenough Thayer Shedd

Who was William Greenough Thayer Shedd?

William Greenough Thayer Shedd, son of the Reverend Marshall Shedd and Eliza Thayer, was an American Presbyterian Theologian born in Acton, Massachusetts.

In 1835, Shedd enrolled at the University of Vermont, and became a protégé of UVM president James Marsh. Under the influence of his mentor, Shedd was deeply affected by the thought of Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Transcendentalism. He graduated from UVM in 1839 and taught school for one year, during which time he began to attend the Presbyterian church. Being called to the ministry, Shedd entered Andover Theological Seminary in 1840 and studied under theologian Leonard Woods. He graduated in 1843.

After a short pastorate at Brandon, Vermont, he was successively professor of English literature at the University of Vermont, professor of sacred rhetoric in Auburn Theological Seminary, professor of church history in Andover Theological Seminary, and, after one year as associate pastor of the Brick Church of New York City, of sacred literature and of systematic theology in Union Theological Seminary. He died in New York City on November 17, 1894.