Samuel Locke (educator)

For the New Zealand politician, see Samuel Locke (politician).

Samuel Locke (November 23, 1732 – January 15, 1778) was an American Congregational clergyman and educator.

The Reverend Samuel Locke
President of Harvard College
In office 1770–1773
Preceded by	John Winthrop
Succeeded by	John Winthrop
Personal details
Born	(1732-11-23)November 23, 1732 Woburn, Massachusetts
Died	January 15, 1778(1778-01-15) (aged 45) Sherborn, Massachusetts
Education	Harvard College
Signature

Biography

Samuel Locke was born in Woburn, Massachusetts on November 23, 1732.^[1] He was the son of Samuel Locke and Rebecca (Richardson) Locke Wilder.^[2]

He graduated from Harvard College in 1755, where he was a classmate of future American President and founding father John Adams.^[3] He was ordained at Sherburne 7 Nov 1759.^[4]

He married Mary Porter on 2 January 1760.^[5] Mary was the daughter of Rev. Samuel Porter. Rev. Porter was a predecessor to Rev Locke at Sherburne. They had 3 children (2 sons and a daughter): Dr. Samuel Locke (1761-1788), Mary Locke (1763-1796), and John Locke (1765-1800).

After serving as pastor in Sherborn, Massachusetts, he was appointed president of Harvard University. He held that post from 1770 to 1773, when he resigned after his housemaid became pregnant.^[6] He then returned to Sherborn, where he died of apoplexy.^[1]