Rice, Luther, 1783-1836

Luther Rice (1783-1836) is regarded as the founder of Columbian College, now The George Washington University. Rice was born in Nothborough Massachusetts in 1783 and died in Edgefield district, South Carolina in 1836. He entered Williams College in 1807 and there developed a strong interest in foreign missions. He was ordained as a Congregational minister in Salem, Massachusetts in 1812. In 1813 and after a missionary journey to India, he went to Boston. Having difficulties with policy within the Congregational Church he turned to the Baptists, as had many of his fellow missionaries. With his missionary zeal he turned to the cause of ministerial education. Mainly through his efforts, fund-raising and personal influence he established, along with five other Baptist missionaries, the Columbian College in the District of Columbia. For several years he served Columbian College as its agent and treasurer.