Henry Ward Beecher

Date of Birth: June 24, 1813

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Date of Death: March 8, 1887

Biography

Henry Ward Beecher was an American Congregationalist clergyman, social reformer, and speaker, known for his support of the abolition of slavery, his advocacy for women’s suffrage, and his opposition to the corrupt politics of his day. Born into a prominent family, Beecher was the son of Lyman Beecher, a well-known Calvinist minister, and the brother of Harriet Beecher Stowe, the author of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” He began his career as a minister in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, before moving to Plymouth Church in Brooklyn, New York, where he became one of the most famous preachers of the 19th century. Beecher’s sermons were renowned for their emotional impact and liberal theology. He believed in a loving God and emphasized the importance of personal faith and social justice. His dynamic preaching style and progressive views attracted a large congregation and significant public attention. In addition to his religious work, Beecher was a prolific writer and lecturer. He edited several religious periodicals and authored numerous books, including “Life of Jesus the Christ” and “Lectures to Young Men.” His career was marred by scandal in the 1870s when he was accused of adultery with Elizabeth Tilton, the wife of his friend and former parishioner Theodore Tilton. The subsequent trial was highly publicized and ended in a hung jury, but it damaged Beecher’s reputation. Beecher remained a significant figure in American religious and social life until his death in 1887. He left a lasting legacy as a preacher, reformer, and advocate for social change.

5 Interesting Facts about Henry Ward Beecher

1. Henry Ward Beecher was the eighth of thirteen children in his family.

2. He was a strong supporter of the Temperance Movement, advocating against the consumption of alcohol.

3. Beecher’s sister, Harriet Beecher Stowe, wrote the influential anti-slavery novel “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.”

4. He was a pioneer in using humor and colloquial language in his sermons, which was unconventional at the time.

5. Beecher was involved in the “Beecher-Tilton Scandal,” one of the most notorious scandals of the 19th century.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Henry Ward Beecher

1. “Hold yourself responsible for a higher standard than anybody expects of you. Never excuse yourself.”

2. “The soul without imagination is what an observatory would be without a telescope.”

3. “Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures.”

4. “We never know the love of a parent till we become parents ourselves.”

5. “The real man is one who always finds excuses for others, but never excuses himself.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the height of his career, Henry Ward Beecher’s net worth was estimated to be approximately $100,000, which would be equivalent to several million dollars today when adjusted for inflation.

Children

Henry Ward Beecher had ten children in total with his wife Eunice White Bullard. However, only four of their children survived to adulthood: Harriet Beecher, Henry Barton Beecher, William Constantine Beecher, and Herbert Foote Beecher.