David Nelson Beach

Who was David Nelson Beach?

David Nelson Beach was an American theologian, born at South Orange, N. J., and a brother of Harlan Page Beach.

David Beach graduated from Yale College in 1872 and from the Yale Divinity School in 1876. In the same year he was ordained a Congregational minister and became pastor at Westerly, R. I. He subsequently served in pastorates at Wakefield, Mass., Cambridge, Mass., Minneapolis, and Denver. From 1903-1921, he was President and Professor of Sacred Rhetoric at Bangor Theological Seminary in Bangor, Maine. He took a prominent part in civic and social movements and during his residence at Cambridge was prominent in ridding that city of saloons. He advocated the adoption of a modified Norwegian liquor system in Massachusetts, and became known as an enthusiastic worker for church unity and a better theology.

Beach's published writings include:

Plain Words on Our Lord's Work

The Newer Religious Thinking

The Intent of Jesus

Statement of Belief

The Annie Laurie Mine

Meanings of the Battle of Bennington

Beach retired from the Bangor seminary to Southington, Connecticut, where he died in 1926.