Henry Dunster

Henry Dunster
1st President of Harvard College
In office
August 27, 1640 – October 24, 1654
Preceded byNathaniel Eaton (as Headmaster)
Succeeded byCharles Chauncy
Personal details
BornNovember 1609 (1609-11)
Bury, Lancashire, England
DiedFebruary 27, 1659(1659-02-27) (aged 49)
Scituate, Massachusetts
Signature

Henry Dunster (November 26, 1609 (baptized) – February 27, 1658/59) was a New England Puritan clergyman who served as the first president of Harvard College from 1640 to 1654. Brackney says Dunster was "an important precursor" of the Baptist denomination in America, especially regarding infant baptism, soul freedom, religious liberty, congregational governance, and a radical biblicism.