Griffin, Edmund Dorr, Am

Griffin, Edmund Dorr, A.M., a Protestant Episcopal minister, was born at Wyoming, Pa., Sept. 18,1804. Early in life he gave proofs of classical proficiency in the composition of some Latin poems and poetic versions, which were considered to possess rare excellence. In 1823 he passed A.B. in Columbia College with distinguished honor; and having studied theology two years in the New York Theological Seminary, he was admitted to deacon'sῥ orders in 1826. After supplying for a time a church at Utica, he returned to New York, and was appointed agent to the Genesis Theolog. Seminary; he became rector of St. James's, New York, and the Associate Church of Bloomingdale, officiating also temporarily in Christ's Church, New York, as assistant to Dr. Lyell. In 1828, his health failing, he sailed for Europe, and visited England, France, and Italy. On his return he commenced lecturing at Columbia College, April 13, 1830, on the History of Literature, continuing the series which his friend, Prof. McVickar, had been obliged to suspend on account of ill health. Griffin's lectures had great success; and measures were in progress for the formation of a new chair of history in the college expressly for him, when during the vacation, he was seized with inflammation of thee bowels, and died Aug. 31, 1830. His MSS. were published after his death by his friend McVickar under the title Remains of Rev. E. D. Griffin (N. Y., 2 vols. 8vo). They contain several pieces of poetry, some of which are in Latin; an account of travels through Italy and Switzerland in 1829; notes on France, England, and Scotland in 1828, 1829, and 1830; extracts from his lectures, and some essays written while a student. See McVickar, Notice (in the Preface of the Remains of R. E. G.) Cyclop. of American Literature, ii, 391; Christian Review, 4:356; Sprague, Annals, v, 671.