Simpson, Matthew

Simpson, Matthew, 1811–84, American Methodist bishop, b. Cadiz, Ohio. In 1839 he became the first president of Indiana Asbury Univ. (now DePauw Univ.). He edited (1848–52) the Western Christian Advocate and was consecrated bishop in 1852. He used his oratorical skill on behalf of the Union in the Civil War and in eulogizing his friend, Abraham Lincoln, at Lincoln's burial services in Springfield, Ill.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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