Parker, Theodore, 1810-1860.

Unitarian minister and reformer.

From the description of Letter, 1850 Nov. 5, Boston, to Charles Mason. (Boston Athenaeum). WorldCat record id: 170925855

Rev. Theodore Parker (1810-1860), Unitarian minister, social reformer, and publicist, was born in Lexington, Mass., a grandson of Captain John Parker (1729-1775) of Revolutionary fame. Parker graduated from Harvard Divinity School in 1836, became minister of West Roxbury, and proceeded to develop his theological and social views from the pulpit and in many addresses and publications, such as "A Discourse of Matters pertaining to Religion" (1842). He became an activist in abolitionism, being once indicted for inciting violence during his address before Faneuil Hall concerning the rendition of a fugitive slave. He is said to have been an influence in later years on Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865).

From the description of Papers, 1832-1904. (American Antiquarian Society). WorldCat record id: 191259593

American scholar and theologian.

From the description of Autograph letter signed : West Roxbury, to the Rev. John Pierpont, 1849 Jul. 20. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270611467

From the description of Autograph letter signed : Berlin, 1852 Jul. 28. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270609798

From the description of Autograph letters signed (4) : West Roxbury and Boston, Mass., to the Rev. John Pierpont, 1845 Oct. 15-1848 May 2. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270611563

From the description of Autograph manuscript signed : [n.p., ca. 1850?]. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270872085

From the description of Autograph letters signed (2) : Boston, to Mr. Bridgman and to an unidentified recipient, 1854 Feb. 26, [n.d.]. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270872083

Unitarian clergyman, theologian, author, and abolitionist.

From the description of Papers of Theodore Parker, 1832-1910 (bulk 1850-1860). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 83334645

Unitarian minister and social reformer. Graduated from Harvard Divinity School, 1836. Minister in West Roxbury, Mass., 1837-1846, and at the Twenty-eighth Congregational Society in Boston, 1846-1860. See sketch in Dictionary of American Biography.

From the description of Papers, 1836-1862 (inclusive). (Harvard University, Divinity School Library). WorldCat record id: 269369176

American clergyman.

From the description of Autograph letter signed : Newton Corner, to William Makepeace Thackeray, 1853 Aug. 7. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270851234

American Unitarian clergyman and abolitionist.

From the description of Papers of Theodore Parker [manuscript], 1853-1855. (University of Virginia). WorldCat record id: 647934421

Abolitionist, theologian, Unitarian clergyman, and educator.

From the description of Letters to Samuel Gridley Howe, 1846-1856. (Moorland-Spingarn Resource Center). WorldCat record id: 70941246

Theodore Parker ( 1810-1860 ) graduated from Harvard Divinity School in 1836 and was ordained to the West Roxbury, Massachusetts, Unitarian Church in 1837 . He played a pivotal role in moving Unitarianism away from a Bible-centered faith, and in 1841, when he gave an ordination sermon entitled " A Discourse on the Transient and Permanent in Christianity," he emerged as a major figure in the Transcendentalist movement. Following the sermon, Parker was barred from the majority of Unitarian pulpits because a majority of Unitarian lay people and clergy found his ideas to be non-Christian. He continued his speaking engagements and became more and more controversial. In 1845, his followers, known as Parker-ites, established the Twenty-Eighth Congregational Society ( Boston ) and Parker became the pastor of this church. He was also a major figure in the abolitionist movement, leading the Boston opposition to the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, and serving as minister-at-large to fugitive slaves in Boston . He was also the chairman of the executive committee of the Vigilance Committee, a fugitive slave aid society. Parker 's aid to fugitive slaves led to a federal indictment in 1854 which was dismissed on a technicality in 1855 . Parker was also a proponent of women's suffrage and delivered a well-known sermon, " On the Public Function of Woman," in 1853 . He served as the editor of the Massachusetts Quarterly Review from 1848 to 1851, and published many works, including Theism, Atheism, and the Popular Theology ( 1853 ), A False and True Revival of Religion ( 1858 ), and The Revival of Religion Which We Need ( 1858 ). He died in 1860 and was buried in Florence, Italy .

From the guide to the Parker, Theodore, 1810-1860. Papers, 1836-1862., (Andover-Harvard Theological Library, Harvard Divinity School)

Theodore Parker (1810-1860) graduated from Harvard Divinity School in 1836 and was ordained to the West Roxbury, Massachusetts, Unitarian Church in 1837. He played a pivotal role in moving Unitarianism away from a Bible-centered faith, and in 1841, when he gave an ordination sermon entitled "A Discourse on the Transient and Permanent in Christianity," he emerged as a major figure in the Transcendentalist movement. Following the sermon, Parker was barred from the majority of Unitarian pulpits because a majority of Unitarian lay people and clergy found his ideas to be non-Christian. He continued his speaking engagements and became more and more controversial. In 1845, his followers, known as Parker-ites, established the Twenty-Eighth Congregational Society (Boston) and Parker became the pastor of this church. He was also a major figure in the abolitionist movement, leading the Boston opposition to the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, and serving as minister-at-large to fugitive slaves in Boston. He was also the chairman of the executive committee of the Vigilance Committee, a fugitive slave aid society. Parker's aid to fugitive slaves led to a federal indictment in 1854 which was dismissed on a technicality in 1855. Parker was also a proponent of women's suffrage and delivered a well-known sermon, On the Public Function of Woman, in 1853. He served as the editor of the Massachusetts Quarterly Review from 1848 to 1851, and published many works, including Theism, Atheism, and the Popular Theology (1853), A False and True Revival of Religion (1858), and The Revival of Religion Which We Need (1858). He died in 1860 and was buried in Florence, Italy.

From the guide to the Parker, Theodore, 1810-1860. Centenary Edition of the Works of Theodore Parker. Editorial Board Records, 1906-1912., (Andover-Harvard Theological Library, Harvard Divinity School)

Unitarian clergyman, abolitionist, and social reformer, of West Roxbury, Mass.

From the description of Theodore Parker papers, 1837-1930s and undated (bulk 1837-1860). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 434891004

Theodore Parker was a Unitarian minister and social reformer. An extraordinary student, he graduated from Harvard Divinity School and secured a parish near Boston, but his radical views made him a controversial figure. He succeeded in spite of the controversy, becoming a successful author and lecturer, embracing Transcendentalism, and working for numerous social reforms, including women's rights, temperance, and the abolition of slavery. One of his last published essays was a defense of radical abolitionist John Brown.

From the description of Theodore Parker letters and manuscripts, 1843-1859. (Pennsylvania State University Libraries). WorldCat record id: 57457724

Clergyman educated at Harvard. Co-edited the Scriptural Interpreter (Harvard), 1834-36. Transcendentalist and Unitarian. Considered controversial because of his 1841 sermon, The Transient and Permanent in Christianity. Activist for the escape of fugitive slaves. Bequeathed his library of 16,000 volumes to the Boston Public Library. His writings (1863-70) were published in 14 volumes after his death.

From the description of Translations from German religious writings, with background notes, 1835-1861. (Brown University). WorldCat record id: 122491610

Liberal theologian, Unitarian minister, Transcendentalist, reformer, antislavery activist. Born in Lexington, Mass., 1810; died in 1860 in Florence, Italy, where he was buried. In early 1830's, taught school in Watertown, where he was influenced by the liberal Unitarian theology of Convers Francis. Entered Harvard Divinity School in 1834. Married Lydia Cabot in 1837, in which year he was ordained in West Roxbury. Familiar with 20 languages; drawn to German authors and to Coleridge, Carlyle, and Emerson. His controversial 1841 sermon "The Transient and Permanent in Christianity" was.

(Cont.) preached in South Boston. Contributor to the Dial. Travelled in Europe Sept. 1843-Sept. 1844. In 1845, resigned West Roxbury pastorate and was installed as minister of the Twenty-Eighth Congregational Society of Boston (quartered from 1852 in Boston Music Hall). Reform interests included woman's rights, temperance, labor reform, the poor, prison conditions, education, war, human rights, and slavery. His A Letter to the People of the United States Touching the Matter of Slavery was published in 1848; articles by him on the subject appeared in Massachusetts Quarterly Review between.

(Cont.) 1847 and 1850. Delivered numerous antislavery sermons and addresses. Serious illness ended his career in 1859, when he travelled again to Europe, where he died the following year. His library of close to 16,000 volumes was bequeathed to the Boston Public Library.

From the description of A catalogue of books in the library of Theodore Parker : holograph, [ca. 1835-1859]. (Concord Public Library). WorldCat record id: 36970557

Biographical Note

• 1810, Aug. 24: Born, Lexington, Mass.
• 1831: Graduated, Harvard College, Cambridge, Mass.
• 1836: Graduated, Harvard Divinity School, Cambridge, Mass.; joined the Transcendental Club
• 1841: Presented a sermon, “A Discourse on the Permanent and Transient in Christianity,” doubting that the scriptures of historic Christianity reflected the truth
• 1846: Installed as minister of the 28th Congregational Society of Boston, Mass., a “free church” congregation that included Louisa May Alcott, William Lloyd Garrison, Julia Ward Howe, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton
• 1846 - 1848 : Opposed the Mexican War
• 1848 - 1851 : Edited Massachusetts Quarterly Review
• 1848: Wrote To a Southern Slaveholder, in opposition to slavery
• 1850: Advocated violating the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850
• 1859: Helped finance John Brown’s failed slave insurrection in Virginia
• 1860, May 10: Died, Florence, Italy

From the guide to the Theodore Parker Papers, 1838-1910, (bulk 1850-1860), (Manuscript Division Library of Congress)

• 1810 Aug. 24: Born in Lexington, Massachusetts
• 1831: Became assistant teacher in a private school in Boston.
• 1832: Opened a private school in Watertown, Massachusetts.
• 1834: Entered Harvard Divinity School.
• 1836: Graduated from Harvard Divinity School.
• 1837: Married Lydia Cabot.
• Ordained
• 1840: Made an Honorary Master of Arts at Harvard College.
• 1843 - 44 : Traveled in Europe.
• 1850's: Became deeply involved in abolitionist activities.
• 1860: Died in Florence, Italy and was interred in the Protestant cemetery outside the Pinto Gate, on May 10th.

From the guide to the Theodore Parker Collection, 1846-1856, (Moorland-Spingarn Research Center, Howard University)