Adams, Ebenezer, 1765-1841

Dates

• Existence: 1765 - 1841

Biography

Ebenezer Adams was born October 2, 1765 in New Ipswich, New Hampshire. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1791, and served as Preceptor of Leicester Academy, Leicester, Massachusetts from 1792-1806. After short teaching stints in Portland, Maine, and at Phillips Academy in Exeter, Adams in 1809 was appointed Professor of Languages at Dartmouth College. A year later he was promoted to Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy. In 1812, he was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In 1817, Adams became deeply embroiled in the events of the Dartmouth College Case, and was dismissed from his position by the "Dartmouth University" trustees. Adams quietly went on teaching at Dartmouth College until the Supreme Court decision of 1819 ended the controversy. He retired in 1833. He died August 15, 1841 in Hanover, NH.