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.

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