Name John Durbin | ||
 | ||
Died October 18, 1876, New York City, New York, United States Books Observations in Europe: Principally in France and Great Britain | ||
Education University of Cincinnati | ||
John Price Durbin (1800—1876) was a Methodist clergyman who served as Chaplain of the Senate and president of Dickinson College.
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Early years
Durbin was born on October 10, 1800 in Paris, Bourbon County, Kentucky, to Elizabeth "Betsy" Nunn and Hozier (or Hosier) Durbin; he was the oldest of their five sons. While he was still young, his father died and he went to work for a cabinetmaker. He continued in this trade until his religious conversion at age 18. Durbin studied Latin, Greek and English grammar, with tutors.
Ministry
Licensed to preach by the Methodist church, Durbin went to Ohio in 1819 in order to begin his ministry. His first church was in Hamilton, Ohio (1821), he entered classes at Miami University while serving there. After another relocation, Durbin continued his college education at Cincinnati College, from which he earned a bachelor's degree and a master's of arts degree (1825). He then was appointed professor of languages at Augusta College in Kentucky. He then served as professor of natural science at Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut.
In 1831, Durbin was elected Chaplain of the Senate. Thereafter, he was editor of the "Christian Advocate" (1832). In 1833, Dickinson College became part of the Baltimore Conference of the Methodist Church; Durbin was called to be the new president, serving until 1844.
Following retirement from the college, Durbin served Union Methodist Church in Philadelphia. In 1850 he became secretary of The Missionary Society, serving until 1872, when ill health led to his retirement. His several tours of Europe and the Middle East led to well received books which he authored.
John Price Durbin died in New York, New York on October 18, 1876; he was buried in Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia.
Personal life
Durbin married Frances Budd Cook of Philadelphia on September 6, 1827, in Pennsylvania. Following her death he married a second time, her sister, Mary Cook, in 1839. His children with Frances Cook were: Lucretia, Augusta, Margaret, Alexander Cook, John Price and William. His children with Mary Cook were: Clara, Caroline and Fanny.