Seventy Years Of The Worcester Polytechnic Institute: Page 4

So they parted, and so the first stone in the foundation of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute was laid. It was apparent from the first that John Boynton had no clear conception of the project to which he was contributing most of his hard-earned wealth. Some credit him with less interest in the details than has been indicated. It is not improbable, however, that these two men had previously discussed the lack of opportunities for poor boys to secure an education even in Massachusetts, where only the larger towns maintained academies and where any semblance of collegiate education was reserved for those who were preparing for the learned professions. No constructive move had yet been -made toward industrial education.

David Whitcomb lost no time in developing the Boynton idea. He called first upon Reverend Seth Sweetser, pastor of the Calvinist (now known as Central Congregational) church of Worcester. Dr. Sweetser held an enviable position in the community of his day. An eloquent preacher, a scholar of wide attainments, and a lovable character, he was frequently sought when men needed counsel. Subsequent developments proved that Whitcomb showed good judgment in his choice of a confidant.

Seth Sweetser, who was about fifty-eight at this time, had been pastor of the Worcester church for more than a quarter of a century. He was president of the board of trustees of Phillips Academy, and a trustee of Andover Theological Seminary, from which he was a graduate. At a later date he became president of the American Education Society.

Whitcomb's second consultant was Emory Washburn, Bussey professor of Law at Harvard University. Governor Washburn, the last Whig incumbent of the Massachusetts gubernatorial chair, in 1854 and 1855, was a former resident of Worcester, and a keen student of education. He practiced law in Worcester from 1828 to the year of his election as governor, and for three years was judge of the Court of Common Pleas. He had been a trustee of Williams College,

webmaster@wpi.edu

Last Modified: Fri Jul 30 11:15:25 EDT 1999