Lyman Beecher

NAME Lyman Beecher

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Lyman Beecher was one of the most powerful and influential Puritan preachers of his generation in the United States. He was known for his fiery sermons against social vices, including drunkenness, Catholicism, and religious tolerance. He also played a significant role in the Second Great Awakening and was a leader in the temperance movement.

BIRTH Lyman Beecher was born on October 12, 1775, in New Haven, Connecticut, USA.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Lyman came from a family with Puritan roots. His father, David Beecher, was a blacksmith. The Beecher family had strong religious convictions, which deeply influenced Lyman's upbringing and his later life as a preacher.

His mother, Esther Burr, was the daughter of a respected minister. She died shortly after giving birth to Lyman, and he was committed to the care of his uncle Lot Benton.

CHILDHOOD Lyman was raised on a farm by his uncle Lot Benton, who adopted him after his mother's death. He was brought up in a modest, pious household, he absorbed the values of hard work and faith from an early age.

EDUCATION Beecher attended Yale University, where he studied theology under the famous preacher Timothy Dwight. He graduated in 1797 and was later ordained as a minister, setting the stage for his long career as a preacher.

CAREER RECORD Lyman Beecher began his ministerial career in 1798 in East Hampton, Long Island, where he gained prominence for his sermons. His resume reads:

Pastor at East Hampton, Long Island (1799-1810)

Pastor at Litchfield, Connecticut (1810-1826)

Pastor at Hanover Street Church, Boston (1826-1832)

President of Lane Theological Seminary, Cincinnati (1832-1850)

Pastor at Second Presbyterian Church, Cincinnati (1832-1842)

He later moved to churches in Litchfield, Connecticut, and Boston. 

Beecher's most significant work came in Cincinnati, where he devoted his later years to preaching to pioneers and holding revival meetings. His opposition to alcoholism, Catholicism, and religious tolerance marked his sermons, and he also became involved in establishing schools and churches in the western frontier.

APPEARANCE Beecher was described as having a strong, rugged appearance with sharp features. His eyes were often noted for their intensity, reflecting his passion for his religious beliefs. He had a strong, resonant voice that was well-suited for public speaking.

Portrait of Lyman Beecher by James Henry Beard, 1842

FASHION As a preacher, Beecher wore the traditional clerical garments of his time, including a black coat, white cravat, and dark trousers.. His fashion choices reflected the simplicity and modesty that was characteristic of Puritan values.

CHARACTER Beecher was known for his fiery, passionate character. His sermons were forceful and often controversial, as he was unafraid to take strong positions on moral and social issues. His intensity was a defining trait, both in the pulpit and in his personal life.

SENSE OF HUMOUR Beecher, despite his intense nature, had a sharp wit. His sense of humor often showed itself in his interactions with family and colleagues, though it was not a dominant aspect of his public persona.

RELATIONSHIPS Lyman was married three times and was the father of 13 children, many of whom became writers or ministers.

First marriage: In 1799, Beecher married Roxana Foote, the daughter of Eli and Roxana (Ward) Foote. They had nine children together. including Harriet Beecher Stowe, Henry Ward Beecher and Catharine Beecher. Roxana died of tuberculosis on September 13, 1816. 

Beecher with Harriet Beecher Stowe and Henry Ward Beecher, taken sometime after 1858.

Second marriage: In 1817, Beecher married Harriet Porter. They had four children together. Harriet died on July 7, 1835. 

Third marriage: On September 23, 1836, Beecher married Lydia Beals, who was previously married to Joseph Jackson. Lydia and Beecher had no children together. Lydia lived from 1789 to 1869. 

MONEY AND FAME Beecher was famous for his preaching and involvement in social causes, but his wealth remained modest. His fame, however, grew, especially with his involvement in the Second Great Awakening and his leadership in religious and educational movements.

FOOD AND DRINK Beecher was known for his strong opposition to alcohol, and his involvement in the temperance movement was a key aspect of his public life. He advocated for total abstinence from alcohol and condemned drunkenness in his sermons.

MUSIC AND ARTS  Beecher had a fondness for playing the violin. After preaching, which often left him in an excited state, he would relax by playing "Auld Lang Syne" on the violin

Surprisingly for a minister of his time, Beecher was known to dance the "double shuffle" in his parlor as a form of relaxation after preaching.

LITERATURE Beecher was an avid reader of theological and philosophical works. He was a prolific writer, publishing sermons and pamphlets on religious and social issues. His children, particularly Harriet Beecher Stowe, would also become prominent writers.

Beecher is featured in biographies about his life and work, particularly in the context of his role in the Second Great Awakening, the temperance movement, and his opposition to Catholicism. Some biographies also focus on the broader Beecher family, exploring their collective influence on American religion, literature, and social reform. They include:

The Beecher Preachers (1951) by Clifford E. Clark highlights Lyman Beecher and his sons, particularly Henry Ward Beecher, as influential Protestant ministers.

Lyman Beecher: A Biography was written by his son, Charles Beecher, giving an insider perspective on his life, theology, and career.

NATURE Beecher believed in the natural world as a reflection of God's creation. 

SCIENCE AND MATHS Beecher was interested in the natural sciences and believed that they could be used to support religious beliefs. 

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Lyman Beecher adhered to Calvinist theology but was an advocate of a more moderate form of it. He believed in the importance of personal piety and moral reform, and he was a key figure in promoting revivalism and evangelicalism in the United States. His theological outlook was characterized by a strong opposition to Catholicism, religious tolerance, and social vices.

POLITICS Beecher was politically conservative, aligning himself with causes that upheld the traditional Protestant values of the time. He was also a vocal critic of slavery and a supporter of the abolitionist movement.

SCANDAL Lyman Beecher was involved in a significant scandal related to his anti-Catholic rhetoric and a broader controversy over his strong positions on religious tolerance and temperance. His outspoken opposition to Catholicism made him a polarizing figure, and his sermons stoked tensions between Protestants and Catholics in the United States during a time of rising immigration from predominantly Catholic countries.

One notable scandal was linked to his involvement in the 1834 Ursuline Convent riots in Charlestown, Massachusetts. Beecher had delivered a series of fiery anti-Catholic sermons shortly before a mob attacked and burned down a Catholic convent. While Beecher was not directly involved in the riot, many believed his inflammatory rhetoric contributed to the atmosphere of religious intolerance that led to the violence. This incident tarnished his reputation among Catholics and more tolerant religious communities, though it solidified his standing with like-minded Protestants.

Additionally, his family was no stranger to scandal. His son, Henry Ward Beecher, was involved in a highly publicized adultery scandal later in his life. Though this did not directly implicate Lyman Beecher, it did draw attention to the Beecher family as a whole and led to public scrutiny.

MILITARY RECORD Beecher did not serve in the military, though he lived through significant conflicts like the American Revolution and the War of 1812.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Beecher lived a long life, passing away at the age of 87. He maintained good physical health for much of his life but around his 80th year, Beecher's intellectual powers began to decline, while his physical strength remained unabated.

About his eightieth year, he suffered a stroke of paralysis and after the stroke, his mental powers only occasionally showed glimpses of their former strength.

HOMES Beecher lived in various locations during his life, starting in Connecticut and then moving to Ohio, where he spent his later years in Cincinnati, preaching to pioneers and helping establish schools and churches. 

In 1852, he moved to Brooklyn to live with his son Henry Ward Beecher and he spent his final years living with his children.

TRAVEL Beecher traveled frequently as part of his ministry, moving from his early work in Connecticut to Boston and then to Cincinnati, where he spent much of his later career.

DEATH Lyman Beecher died on January 10, 1863, in Brooklyn, New York. He was 87 years old at the time of his death.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Though Lyman Beecher himself hasn’t been portrayed extensively in films or TV, he is often mentioned in documentaries or dramas about the Beecher family.

Documentaries about Harriet Beecher Stowe often reference Lyman as a formative influence on her abolitionist and religious views. His strict Calvinism and evangelical activism helped shape the moral outlook of his children.

Miniseries or TV adaptations of Uncle Tom’s Cabin or stories about Henry Ward Beecher occasionally reference their father, Lyman, as the patriarch whose moral and religious teachings guided their careers.

ACHIEVEMENTS Beecher’s achievements include his leadership in the temperance movement, his role in the Second Great Awakening, and his significant influence on American Protestantism. He also  raised a family of influential children, including Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of Uncle Tom's Cabin.