| Jonathan Maxey's life offers a revealing portrait of early American education from 1768 until 1820. Of particular interest in this study was his participation in higher education as a student, tutor, librarian, professor, trustee, fellow, and president of three colleges established before 1801. Typical of the old-time college president, Maxey was a Christian minister who became a daily presence in the lives of the students he served.; This dissertation examines the educational thought and activity of Maxey. From birth to death his steps are revisited and retraced, utilizing extant records to document his educational preparation and experiences in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, and South Carolina. The study drew upon data collected from letters, minutes, articles, books, and Maxey's own publications, including his orations and sermons. Contemporaries were consulted who had known and written about Maxey.; The first chapter treats introductory matters, namely, interest in the subject, purpose, scope of the study, methodology, sources, and justification for the study. The second chapter surveys the early influences that shaped Maxey's life, including his ancestry and family background, religious heritage, childhood in Attleborough, Massachusetts, and elementary and secondary schooling.; The third chapter traces Maxey's undergraduate experience and his employment as a tutor at Rhode Island College, his conversion to Christianity, his licensing and ordination to the Baptist ministry, and his pastoral service at the First Baptist Church of Providence, Rhode Island. The fourth chapter reviews his years [1792--1802] as president protempore and president of Rhode Island College. The fifth chapter chronicles Maxcy's two years 1802--1804] at Union College, Schenectady, New York.; The sixth and seventh chapters examine Maxcy's administration at the South Carolina College [1804--1820]. In the last chapter Maxcy's tenure at the South Carolina College is compared and contrasted with that of his contemporaries at the university of Georgia and the University of North Carolina. The epilogue summarizes Maxcy's contributions to early American higher education as an extraordinary individual, an emerging leader, and an effective executive of three colleges, including one of the earliest state colleges in America. |
