Crane, William Carey, 1816-1885

William Carey Crane, known as a brilliant educator, an active Baptist minister, was one of the longest-tenured presidents of Baylor University. Born in Richmond, Virginia, on 1816 March 17, William Carey, was the son of William and Lydia Dorset Crane. William Carey Crane proved to be a scholar from the early stages of his adolescence. He attended renowned schools as Mount Pleasant Classical Institute in Amherst, Massachusetts, Virginia Baptist Seminary, Hamilton Literary and Theological Institute in New York, and Madison University. Various notebooks and notes from these colleges can be found in the collection. In 1834, he transferred to Columbian College where he received a bachelor's degree in 1836 and a master's degree in 1839.

Prior to his graduation, Crane was ordained as a Baptist minister in Baltimore, Maryland, but moved shortly afterward to Montgomery, Alabama, to take charge of a Baptist congregation. He also married his first wife, Alcesta Flora Galusha, during this period, but she passed away in 1840. While in Alabama, Crane became acquainted with some very influential figures: William Tryon, James Huckins, and R.E.B. Baylor. These acquaintances would reemerge later in Texas during Crane's stay.

In 1841, Crane married his second wife, Jane Louisa Wright of New York. Like his first wife, however, Wright died relatively young after only one year of marriage. In 1845, Crane married his third wife, Catharine Jane Shepherd of Mobile, Alabama. This marriage produced nine children. Journals and correspondence from all three of Crane's wives can be found in the collection. A listing of family members is located in the appendix to this finding aid.

The 1840s and 1850s represented a time of great change for William Crane and his family. He held pastorates in Columbus, Vicksburg, and Yazoo City, all in Mississippi. He also served as the president of Mississippi Female College (1851-1857), Semple Broaddus College (1859-1860), and Mount Lebanon College (1860-1863). In 1863, due to allegations of impropriety, William Carey Crane resigned from his position at Mount Lebanon College. He was unanimously exonerated by a church council, but his reputation was severely damaged.

In 1863, Crane accepted the offer to preach in Houston, Texas, but before he could settle, he was offered the presidency of Baylor University in Independence, Texas. The position had recently been held by George W. Baines, Sr., an ancestor of future President Lyndon Baines Johnson. Crane accepted the position and began his long-tenured career in 1864 January. He served as President of Baylor University until his death on 1885 February 27. Crane has been credited for saving the university during trying financial times such as the Civil War and the Reconstruction. Crane fought throughout his career to keep Baylor at Independence, but upon his death, the school was merged with Waco University and relocated to Waco, Texas.

Aside from his academic responsibilities, Crane was quite active in Baptist affairs in Texas. He served as pastor of the Independence Baptist Church for eighteen years and participated in the Texas Baptist State Convention. Near the end of his life, Crane published a biography of his friend Sam Houston, and served as Chairman of the committee that founded Sam Houston Normal Institute (now Sam Houston State University).

William Carey's son, Judge Royston Campbell Crane, donated the bulk of this collection. Royston, born on 1864 February 16, was one of the last students to graduate from Baylor University at Independence. Royston continued his education, eventually becoming a successful lawyer. The Texas Collection also holds a collection on Royston Crane.