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William Swan Plumer

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Name
  
William Plumer


Role
  
Author

William Swan Plumer

Books
  
The Law of God - As Containe, Commentary on Romans, Jehovah‑Jireh: A Treatise on Provid, Vital Godliness: A Treatis, The Grace of Christ - Or - Sinne

William Swan Plumer (July 26, 1802 – October 22, 1880) was an American clergyman, theologian and author who was recognized as an intellectual leader of the Presbyterian Church in the 1800s.

Contents

William Swan Plumer httpswilliamswanplumerfileswordpresscom2012

Early life

William S. Plumer was born in Greensburg, Pennsylvania on July 26, 1802. He graduated from Washington College (now Washington and Lee University in Virginia) in 1825, received his religious education at Princeton Theological Seminary in New Jersey, and was ordained in the Presbyterian Church. New Jersey's New Brunswick Presbytery licensed Plumer as a clergyman in 1826, and the state's Orange Presbytery ordained him as an evangelist in 1827.

Career as clergyman

Plumer was the minister of several churches during his career, most notably: First Presbyterian Church, Richmond, Virginia (1834–1846); Franklin Street Presbyterian Church, Baltimore, Maryland (1847–1854); Central Presbyterian Church, Allegheny, Pennsylvania (1854–1862); Arch Street Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1862–1865); and Second Presbyterian Church, Pottsville, Pennsylvania (1865–1867).

From 1837 to 1845 Plumer was the editor of The Watchman of the South, a weekly Presbyterian newspaper which he had founded while serving as pastor in Richmond. He was also a founder of Staunton's Institution for the Blind, Deaf, & Dumb.

Plumer moderated General Assemblies of different sects of the Presbyterian Church of the United States in 1838 (Old School) and 1871 (Southern).

Career as educator

In addition to his career in the pulpit, Plumer was a highly regarded religious instructor, and his teaching positions included: Professor at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania (1854–1862); Professor of Didactic and Polemic Theology (1867–1875) at Columbia Theological Seminary in South Carolina; and Professor of Pastoral, Casuistic, and Historical Theology (1875–1880) at Columbia.

Career as author

Plumer authored at least 25 books, including commentaries on Romans, Hebrews, and Psalms, as well as numerous tracts and pamphlets, and magazine and newspaper articles. Many of his articles were published anonymously, so the number of writings he produced cannot be calculated with accuracy.

Death and burial

Plumer died in Baltimore on October 22, 1880. He was buried at Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond.

Family

In 1829 Plumer married a widow, Eliza Garden Hassell, in Hillsboro, North Carolina. She died in 1878 and is also buried at Hollywood Cemetery.

Honors

Plumer was the recipient of several honorary degrees, including: three Doctors of Divinity (D.D.) (Washington & Lee, Lafayette College, and Washington & Jefferson College); and one LL.D. (University of Mississippi).

Written works

(Partial list of works known to be, or presumed to be, authored by William Swan Plumer)

  • Vital Godliness, 5 editions - first published in 1864
  • Commentary on Paul's Epistle to the Romans, 4 editions - first published in 1870
  • Studies in the book of Psalms, 3 editions - first published in 1867
  • Hints and helps in pastoral theology, 3 editions - first published in 1874
  • The grace of Christ, 3 editions - first published in 1853
  • Thoughts on the religious instruction of the negroes of this country, 3 editions - first published in 1848
  • The Rock of Our Salvation, 3 editions - first published in 1867
  • Commentary on the epistle of Paul, the apostle, to the Hebrews, 2 editions - first published in 1872
  • Jehovah-jireh, 2 editions - first published in 1867
  • Am I self-deceived?, 1840
  • The Bible true, and infidelity wicked, 1840
  • The Law of God, 1864
  • Psalms, 1867
  • Rome against the Bible, 1854
  • Young children may be truly pious, 1850
  • Scripture doctrine of a call to the work of the gospel ministry, 1832
  • Words of truth and love, 1867
  • Truths for the people, 1875
  • Earnest hours, 1869
  • How to bring up children, 1822
  • The promises of God, 1872
  • The substance of an argument against the indiscriminate incorporation of churches and religious societies, 1847
  • References

    William Swan Plumer Wikipedia