Charles Backus Storrs

Charles Backus Storrs
1st President of Western Reserve College
In office 1830–1833
Succeeded by	George E. Pierce
Personal details
Born	(1794-05-23)May 23, 1794 Longmeadow, MA, U.S.
Died	September 15, 1833(1833-09-15) (aged 39) Braintree, MA, U.S.
Resting place	Elm Street Cemetery Braintree, MA, U.S.
Alma mater	Andover Theological Seminary

Rev. Charles Backus Storrs (May 23, 1794 – September 15, 1833) was an American minister, abolitionist, and the 1st President of Western Reserve College, now Case Western Reserve University.

Storrs was born in Longmeadow, MA, May 23, 1794. First studying at the College of New Jersey, present day Princeton, from 1810–1813, Storrs had to drop out due to poor health. Eventually following his father and both grandfathers who were clergyman, Storrs graduated from Andover Theological Seminary in 1820. Two years later in 1822 he moved into the Western Reserve of Connecticut, where he became pastor of a church in Ravenna, Ohio. In 1828, he became a professor at the newly formed Western Reserve College, in Hudson, Ohio. Two years later in 1830, he was appointed as the college's first president. During his tenure, he became known as a vocal abolitionist, often collaborating with Western Reserve professor, Elizur Wright. Storrs held the office until 1833, when he had to resign due to failing health. He died on September 15, 1833 at his brother's house in Braintree, Mass.

External links

• Case Western Reserve University bio
• Charles Backus Storrs at Find a Grave