Eleazar Wheelock

Eleazar Wheelock was an influential American Congregational minister and educator, best known for founding Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. For 35 years, he served as a minister in Columbia, Connecticut, where he dedicated himself to the education of both Native Americans and colonists. Wheelock's commitment to education was evident in his establishment of the Moor's Charity School, which aimed to provide a formal education to Native American students, including Samson Occom, a notable Mohegan who became one of the first Native Americans to publish writings in English. Wheelock's legacy is significant in the context of American higher education, as Dartmouth College was one of the first institutions to offer education to Native Americans alongside the sons of colonists. His work not only contributed to the academic landscape of the time but also highlighted the importance of cross-cultural education during a period of growing tension between Native American communities and European settlers. Wheelock's vision for an inclusive educational environment laid the groundwork for future advancements in American education and remains a pivotal part of Dartmouth's history.