Burleson, Rufus Columbus, 1823-1901

Rufus Columbus Burleson was born in Decatur, Alabama, on August 7, 1823, to Jonathon Burleson and Elizabeth Byrd. He was one of thirteen children (8 daughters and 5 sons). From his early years, Burleson was an excellent student who strove to distinguish himself from among his peers. Throughout his youth, he had strong aspirations to attend law school. At the age of sixteen, Burleson had a conversion experience at a Baptist revival and chose to devote his life to the ministry instead. He enrolled in Western Baptist Theological Seminary in Covington, Kentucky and graduated with his degree in 1846.

In 1848, Burleson moved to the Texas frontier as a Baptist missionary a few years after the state had been annexed to the United States. He had been called upon to replace William Tryon, the recently deceased pastor of the First Baptist Church in Houston.

Throughout their ventures in Texas, Rufus C. Burleson and his brother Richard B. Burleson were among the most influential Baptists in the state. A strong moral education was seen as vital to the sanctity of the Baptist denomination both in the training of future ministers and the molding of virtuous citizens. This dream became realized upon the establishment of Baylor University on February 1, 1845. Although Rufus was not in Texas at this time, he quickly became involved in raising funds and publicity for the fledgling university.

Rufus Burleson's rising popularity and influence brought about significant changes in his life. In 1851, Burleson ascended to the presidency of Baylor University in Independence, Texas. Under his leadership, Baylor University grew into a formidable institution. On January 3, 1853, he married Georgia Jenkins. On November 19 of the following year, Burleson baptized famous Independence resident General Sam Houston.

Despite his great successes as Baylor's president, Burleson's term of office was increasingly filled with problems. Raising money to keep Baylor's doors open was always difficult, and Burleson did not always agree with Horace Clark, the principal of Baylor's Female Department, on many university issues. Burleson left Baylor in 1861 to take charge of Waco University.

Despite the long tenure of William Crane as the next president of Baylor, and his attempts to raise funds, the university was unable to sustain itself financially. In 1886, Burleson became the first president of Baylor University after Baylor moved from Independence to Waco and merged with Waco University. Burleson served in this administrative capacity until 1897. During this time, Burleson's reputation was marred by controversy. In 1894, a young Brazilian girl living with the Burleson family became pregnant. Although a jury found Burleson innocent of the accusations brought against him, his reputation never recovered.

Even after resigning from his position as president, Burleson continued to work for the interests of the University over the next four years. Burleson passed away in Waco, Texas on May 14, 1901 at the age of 77.