McClintock, John

Life Span
to
Dickinson Connection
Professor 1836-1848, Trustee 1849-1859
    Full name
    John McClintock
    Place of Birth
    Birth Date Certainty
    Exact
    Death Date Certainty
    Exact
    Gender
    Male
    Race
    White
    Sectional choice
    North
    Origins
    Free State
    No. of Spouses
    2
    No. of Children
    3
    Family
    John McClintock (father), Martha McClintock (mother), Caroline Augusta Wakeman McClintock (first wife), Catherine Wilken McClintock (second wife), John Emory McClintock (son)
    Education
    University of Pennsylvania
    Occupation
    Clergy
    Educator
    Journalist
    Writer or Artist
    Relation to Slavery
    White non-slaveholder
    Church or Religious Denomination
    Methodist
    Other Affiliations
    Abolitionists (Anti-Slavery Society)
    Slaveholding in 1860
    0
    Occupation in 1860
    Pastor
    Residence in 1860
    Religion in 1860
    Methodist
    Marital status in 1860
    Married

    John McClintock (American National Biography)

    Scholarship
    McClintock vigorously opposed slavery. In 1841 he wrote, "It seems to me that the Church can do only one thing in regard to so heinous a crime as slavery, namely, to bear her testimony against it, and use all her influence for its extirpation." He decried the annexation of Texas, and during 1847 he penned antislavery articles for the Christian Advocate, a prominent Methodist weekly. In June 1847 the arrival in Carlisle of two Maryland slaveowners pursuing fugitives raised local tempers. McClintock was not a participant in the violence that left one slaveowner badly beaten, but he was arrested and charged with having incited the attack; a jury acquitted him in August 1847. His own evaluation was that "my human and Christian sympathies were openly exhibited on the side of the poor blacks, and this gave mortal offence to the slaveholders and their confreres in the town."
    Charles D. Cashdollar, "McClintock, John," American National Biography Online, February 2000, http://www.anb.org/articles/08/08-01967.html.

    John McClintock (Dickinson Chronicles)

    Scholarship
    John McClintock was born October 27, 1814 in Philadelphia to Irish immigrants, John and Martha McClintock. He began as a clerk in his father's store, and then became a bookkeeper in the Methodist Book Concern in New York. Here he converted to Methodism and considered joining the ministry. McClintock entered the University of Pennsylvania in 1832 and graduated with high honors three years later. Subsequently, he was awarded a doctorate of divinity degree from the same institution in 1848.

    McClintock joined the Dickinson College faculty in Carlisle, Pennsylvania in 1836 as a professor of mathematics. In 1840 he became professor of Greek and Latin. In 1847, the town of Carlisle charged him with inciting a riot over slavery. He was tried in the county court and was acquitted. A year later, he resigned from the College and became the editor of the Methodist Quarterly Review. McClintock did not cut all ties with the College and served as a trustee from 1849 to 1859. He also maintained his intellectual career, publishing many educational volumes and texts, especially in classical and theological literature.

    McClintock was one of two delegates, along with Bishop Matthew Simpson, to the British Wesleyan Conference in 1857. When he returned, he became the pastor of St. Paul's Church in New York. In 1860, he went abroad again, this time to France as pastor of the American Chapel in Paris. After four years in this post, he returned to serve again as pastor at St. Paul's. McClintock declined the presidency of Wesleyan University in 1851 and of Troy University in 1855. He did accept the position of president at Drew Theological Seminary in 1867 and remained there until his death in 1870.

    He married Caroline Augusta Wakeman in 1836, became a widower on March 2, 1850 and married Catherine Wilkin in 1851. He had only one son, John Emory McClintock, born in 1840. John McClintock died March 4, 1870.
    John Osborne and James W. Gerencser, eds., "John McClintock," Dickinson Chronicles, http://chronicles.dickinson.edu/encyclo/m/ed_mcClintockJ.htm.

    John McClintock (Notable Americans)

    Reference
    McCLINTOCK, John, educator, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., Oct. 27, 1814; son of John and Martha (McMackin) McClintook, natives of Ireland. He studied at Wesleyan university. Conn., for a short time in 1831; was a clerk in Philadelphia and bookkeeper in the Methodist Book Concern, New York city, 1828-32, and was graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. A.B., 1835, A.M., 1838. He entered the Philadelpliia Conference of the Methodist Episcopal church in 1835 ; was assistant professor of mathematics in Dickinson college, 1836-39, and professor of ancient classics, 1840-48. He was editor of the Methodist Review, 1848-56; a member of the general conferences of 1856 and 1868; delegate to the Evangelical alliance, Berlin, 1856; fraternal delegate to the Wesleyan Methodist conference of England, and to the Irish, French and German conferences, 1856, and the same year he was transferred to the New York conference. He was president elect of Troy university, 1857-58; declined the presidency of Wesleyan university in 1857, and was stationed at St. Paul's church, New York, 1857-60. He was married in 1836 to Caroline, daughter of Jabez Wakeman, of Jersey City, N.J., and secondly in 1857 to Catharine Wilkins (Stevenson) Emory, daughter of Dr. George Stevenson, of Pittsburgh, Pa., and widow of Robert Emory (q.v.). He was pastor of the American chapel at Paris under the American and Foreign Christian Union, 1860-63, and advocated in France and England the cause of the north. He was corresponding editor of the Methodist, 1860-64; was chairman of the centenary committee of Methodism, 1866. and in co-operation with Daniel Drew, he established the Drew Theological seminary at Madison. N.J., and was president of the seminary and professor of practical theology, 1867-70. The honorary degree of D.D. was conferred on him by the University of Pennsylvania in 1848, and that of LL.D. by Rutgers college in 1866. He edited Sketches of Eminent Methodist Ministers (1854) : Bungener's "History of the Council of Trent" and six centenary hymns by George Lansing Taylor (1866); wrote, with Prof. George R. Crooks, A First Book in Latin (1846), and A First Book in Greek (1848); and is the author of: A Second Book in Greek (1850); A Second Book in Latin (1853), and The Temporal Power of the Pope (1855), and, with James Strong, The Cyclopaedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature (12 vols., 1867-82). He lived to see only three volumes published but his name is attached to the whole series. He wrote the introduction to "Anecdotes of the Wesleys" by J.B. Wakeley (1869). Living Words or Unwritten Sermons of the Late John McClintock, D.D., LL.D., with preface by Bishop James, was published in 1871, and Lectures, by the late John McClintock, D.D., LL.D, on the Theological Encyclopaedia and Methodology, edited by John T. Short, B.D., with introduction by James Strong, S.T.D., in 1873. He died in Madison, N.Y., March 4, 1870.
    Rossiter Johnson, ed., The Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, vol. 2 (Boston: The Biographical Society, 1904).

    John McClintock (Appleton’s)

    Reference
    McCLINTOCK, John, educator, b. in Philadelphia, Pa., 27 Oct., 1814; d. in Madison. Morris co., N. J., 4 March, 1870. He was graduated at the University of Pennsylvania in 1835. Before his graduation he had begun to preach in the New Jersey conference of the Methodist Episcopal church. In 1836 he was appointed professor of mathematics in Dickinson college, Carlisle, Pa., where he remained twelve years, exchanging the mathematical chair in 1848 for that of Greek and Latin. In 1846 he began, in connection with George R, Crooks, a series of text-books of those languages, in which the method of “imitation and repetition,” now generally used, was first introduced. In 1848 he was elected by the general conference editor of the “Methodist Quarterly Review,” and this place he filled for eight years, during which time he gave that periodical a high literary and scholarly character. While in his hands the “Review” rendered especial service by its examination of the positive philosophy of Comte, and the detection of its errors. These essays attracted the attention of the French philosopher, and led to correspondence between him and their author. In 1856 Dr. McClintock was appointed, with Bishop Simpson, a delegate to the Wesleyan Methodist conference of England, and was also present in a similar capacity at the Berlin meeting of the Evangelical alliance the same year. Returning to the United States, he became pastor of St. Paul's church, New York city, in 1857, where he soon became known as one of the eloquent preachers of the metropolis. His charge of the church expiring by limitation in 1860, he sailed for Europe in June to become pastor of the American chapel in Paris, under the auspices of the American and foreign Christian union. Here he remained during the civil war, and did good service in diffusing information regarding the merits of the struggle. In these efforts he secured the aid of the Comte de Gasparin in France and the Rev. William Arthur in England. He also kept his countrymen informed of the fluctuations of European opinion by letters to the New York “Methodist.” After his return in 1864 he was again assigned to the pastorate of St. Paul's church, but, owing to failing health, he was compelled to resign at the end of a year. In 1866 he was made chairman of the central centenary committee having in charge the centennial commemoration of the origin and history of American Methodism. Daniel Drew, of New York, signified his intention of founding, in connection with that event, a biblical and theological school, and Dr. McClintock was chosen its first president. This institution, at Madison, N. J., known as Drew theological seminary, was opened in 1867. Dr. McClintock's style as a writer was characterized by clearness, directness, and precision. He received the degree of D. D. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1848, and that of LL. D. from Rutgers in 1866. His chief literary work, to which a great part of the last twenty years of his life was devoted, is the “Cyclopaedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature” (12 vols., New York). It was begun by him in 1853, in conjunction with James Strong, but the first volume did not appear until 1867, and the fourth was only partially prepared at the time of his death. He also published a translation of Neander's “Life of Christ,” in connection with Prof. Carolus E. Blumenthal (New York, 1847); “An Analysis of ‘Watson's Theological Institutes’”(1850); “Sketches of Eminent Methodist Ministers” (1852); “The Temporal Power of the Pope” (1853); and a translation of Bungener's “History of the Council of Trent” (1855). Since his death have been issued “Living Words,” a volume of his sermons (1870), and “Lectures on Theological Encyclopaedia and Methodology” (1873). See his “Life and Letters” by Rev. George R. Crooks, D. D. (New York, 1876).
    James Grant Wilson and John Fiske, eds., “McClintock, John,” Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography (New York: D. Appleton and Company, 1900), 4: 87.

    John McClintock (National Cyclopaedia)

    Reference
    McCLINTOCK, John, theologian and author, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., Oct. 27, 1814. He was graduated at the University of Pennsylvania in 1835, and in 1836 was appointed to the chair of mathematics in Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pa. He became professor of Greek and Latin in 1840, a position he held for eight years. Previous to his graduation he had preached in the New Jersey conference of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in 1848 he was elected by the general conference to edit the "Methodist Quarterly Review," which he did for eight years with scholarly ability, giving to that journal a high literary tone and character. His essays on the philosophy of Comte attracted the French philosopher's notice, and led to a correspondence between them. Dr. McClintock was a delegate, in company with Bishop Simpson, to the Wesleyan Methodist conference of England, in 1856, and also to the assembly of the Evangelical Alliance at Berlin, the same year. In 1857 he became pastor of St. Paul's Church, New York city, and was soon known as one of the most popular and elegant preachers of the metropolis. On the expiration of his term, in 1860, he sailed for Europe, and had charge of the American chapel in Paris during the civil war. At the Wesleyan missionary anniversary held in London during this time, he availed himself at his position as speaker to affirm his reliance in the harmonious relations between England and the United States. He also contributed letters to the "Methodist" which kept his countrymen apprised of the state of European opinion on that great conflict. On his return Dr. McClintock was again appointed pastor of St. Paul's Church, but was soon compelled to resign, owing to delicate health. He was chairman of the central centenary committee in charge of the centennial anniversary of American Methodism in 1866; and when Daniel Drew founded the Drew Theological Seminary at Madison, N. J., in connection with that event, Dr. McClintock was its first president, and retained his connection with the institution until his death. The degree of D. D. was conferred on him by the University of Pennsylvania in 1848, and that of L. L. D. by Rutgers in 1866. Besides his contributions to periodical literature, and an important series of Greek and Latin text-books in connection with Rev. George R. Crooks (1836-40), Dr. McClintock was engaged for the last years of his life on a " Cyclopaedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature" (12 vols.), which is a monument of scholarship and theological learning. This was begun in 1853, in conjunction with Dr. Strong, who has gone on with the work, which was not completed at Dr. McClintock's death. Among other publications are:  Neander's  "Life of Christ " (1847), translated in connection with Carolus E. Blumenthal; "Sketches of Eminent Methodist Ministers " (1852); "The Temporal Power of the Pope" (1853); and a translation of Bungener's " History of the Council of Trent " (1858). "Living Words," a collection of sermons by Dr. McClintock (1870), and "Lectures on Theological Encyclopœdia and Methodology" (1873), were issued after his death. He died in Madison, N. J., Mar. 4, 1870.
    "McClintock, John," The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography (New York: James T. White & Company, 1895), 6: 432.

    John McClintock (New York Times)

    Obituary

    Rev. John McClintock, D.D., LL.D.

    Rev. JOHN McCLINTOCK, the President of Drew Theological Seminary, died at Madison, N. J., yesterday morning. Dr. McCLINTOCK was one of the ablest and most widely-known [taeologians] and writers in the Methodist Episcopal Church, having been from an early age prominent in the Church as a theological writer and as President of some of the leading educational institutions. He was born in 1815, and was distinguished in his early year for his scholastic attainments. At the age of 23 he occupied a Professorship in Dickinson College, at Carlisle, Penn., having for his associates some of the foremost men of the Methodist Church. Although regularly admitted to the ministry he was never for any considerable length of time in the field as an itinerant preacher, his time being occupied mainly in the colleges, and with work for the periodicals with which he was during the greater part of his time connected. In 1852 he was appointed by the General Conference editor of the Methodist Quarterly Review, published by the Methodist Book Concern in this City. It was during his editorship of the Review that M. AUGUSTINE COMTE published the more important of his works on the on the Positive Philosophy. The reviews which Dr. McCLINTOCK wrote in the Quarterly, entitled “The Beacon of the Nineteenth Century,” attracted universal attention both in this country and in Europe, recognizing as they did the genius and commanding powers of M. COMTE, while severely condemning the principles of his philosophy and destroying, in the opinions of may, their claim to the attention of the philosophical world. M. COMTE himself recognized the weight of Dr. McCLINTOCK’s criticisms, and corresponded with the editor in discussing them. Subsequently Dr. McCLINTOCK was elected President of Troy University, which position he soon afterwards vacated when it became apparent that the institution could not be supported by the Methodists. He was first pastor of St. Paul’s M.E. Church, in this city, the first editor of the Methodist, the organ of the lay [delegationists], and upon the establishment by Mr. DANIEL DREW of the Drew Theological Seminary at Madison, Dr. McCLINTOCK was selected as its first President. This position he filled with remarkable ability, organizing the various departments of the Seminary, and carrying them on successfully to his death. In his death the Methodist Episcopal Church loses one of its ablest divines, a man who has been always respected by the entire church for his great abilities, his energy and force of character. The circumstances attending his death, and the time and place of his burial, have not been learned.

    "Rev. John McClintock," New York Times, March 5, 1870, p. 5: 2-3.
    Chicago Style Entry Link
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    Cashdollar, Charles D. "Unexpected Friendship: John McClintock and Auguste Comte." Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography 105, no. 1 (1981): 85-98. view record
    Crooks, George R. Life and Letters of the Rev. John M'Clintock. New York: Nelson & Philips, 1876. view record
    McClintock, John, and James Strong. Cyclopaedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1889. view record
    McClintock, John, and John T. Short. Lectures on Theological Encyclopaedia and Methodology. Cincinnati: Hitchcock and Walden, 1873. view record
    McClintock, John, and Joseph R. Chandler. A First Book in Latin. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1858. view record
    McClintock, John. A Second Book in Latin. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1853. view record
    McClintock, John. Sketches of Eminent Methodist Ministers. New York: Carlton & Phillips, 1854. view record
    Olin, Stephen, and John McClintock. Greece and the Golden Horn. New York: Carlton & Phillips, 1854. view record
    Taylor, George Lansing, and John McClintock. Six Centenary Hyms for the use of Centenary Meetings and Celebrations. New York: Carlton & Porter, 1866. view record
    Williams, William R., Henry Ward Beecher, Henry W. Bellows, Stephen H. Tyng, Charles S. Robinson, William Ives Budington, and John McClintock. Our Martyr President, Abraham Lincoln: Voices from the Pulpit of New York and Brooklyn. New York: Tibbals & Whiting, 1865. view record
    How to Cite This Page: "McClintock, John," House Divided: The Civil War Research Engine at Dickinson College, https://hd.housedivided.dickinson.edu/index.php/node/6207.