1735  – Paul Revere was born in Boston. Boston’s leading silversmith was official courier to carry the message that General Gage was to attack, signaling the start of the American Revolution. He was a leading member of the Second Church in Boston (Unitarian). The post January 1 first appeared on Harvard Square Library. Read more … Continue reading This Day in Unitarian Universalist History January 1

Oxford, Massachusetts 1735 – Adams Streeter was born in Framingham, Massachusetts. Though he started his preaching career as a Baptist, he traveled in a circuit in central Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island preaching universal salvation. He helped John Murray organize a Universalist society in Boston and preached there to general acceptance. He was the first … Continue reading This Day in Unitarian Universalist History December 31

1846 – Robert Aspland died at age 63. He was a staunch defender of Unitarian Christianity and an early leader of the movement. For 23 years, Aspland edited the Unitarian journals The Monthly Repository and The Christian Reformer. He worked to reform laws that persecuted Dissenters from the Church of England, and for humanitarian causes, … Continue reading This Day in Unitarian Universalist History December 30

1563 – Sebastian Castellio died at age 48. He served as a preacher in Geneva and as professor of Greek literature at the University of Basel. Castellio was the primary defender of Michael Servetus, whom he never knew personally, after John Calvin had Servetus executed. He published theological works against Calvin’s thought and wrote Concerning … Continue reading This Day in Unitarian Universalist History December 29

Archbishop Thomas Cranmer 1548 – The priest John Assheton was summoned before Archbishop Thomas Cranmer at Lambeth Palace to answer charges of Unitarianism. Although Assheton subsequently recanted and survived, he was the first Englishman convicted for Unitarian ideas. The post December 28 first appeared on Harvard Square Library. Read more at: www.HarvardSquareLibrary.org – the digital … Continue reading This Day in Unitarian Universalist History December 28

1834 – Charles Lamb died at the age of 59. Born in London, he was reared Unitarian and was active in English Unitarian churches. A noted poet, novelist, and essayist, Lamb was the author of The Essays of Elisa, Tales of Shakespeare, among many other works. The post December 27 first appeared on Harvard Square … Continue reading This Day in Unitarian Universalist History December 27

The interior of the Essex Street Chapel, London 1816 – John Disney, a leading Unitarian scholar, died at age 70. He became Unitarian after leaving the Church of England and succeeded Theophilus Lindsey as minister of Essex Street Chapel in London. He worked for repeal of all laws restricting liberty of conscience. The post December … Continue reading This Day in Unitarian Universalist History December 26

1642 – Issac Newton was born in Woolsthorpe, Lincolnshire, England. A genius in mathematics and physics, he invented calculus and worked on optical theory. Newton’s writings show that he was Unitarian in his theology. He was professor at Cambridge University, held various posts with the government, and served as a member of Parliament. A large … Continue reading This Day in Unitarian Universalist History December 25

1745 – Benjamin Rush was born near Philadelphia. He was physician general during the Revolutionary War but resigned over differences with George Washington. He signed the Declaration of Independence and was a cofounder of the Pennsylvania Society for the Abolition of Slavery. He worked in medical reform, education, and humanitarian services, especially during the yellow … Continue reading This Day in Unitarian Universalist History December 24

1851 – Mary Augusta Safford was born in Quincy, Illinois. She was the founder and minister of the Unitarian church in Hamilton, Illinois and minister in four other churches in Illinois and Iowa. She was president of the Iowa Unitarian Association and also served as the director of the Women’s Unitarian Conference. After retiring to … Continue reading This Day in Unitarian Universalist History December 23