Rutgers, Henry

Rutgers, Henry, a distinguished Revolutionary patriot, philanthropist, and Christian of New York city, who was severely wounded while serving as an officer in the war of independence, and always stood high in the confidence of the state and general governments, was born in 1746. Possessed of ample wealth, he was noted for his unceasing munificence to various objects of humane and religious charity. He was one of the first managers of the American Bible Society, and was prominent in all the great benevolent movements of his time. By a timely act of liberality, he was to a large degree instrumental in the revival of Queen's College, which since that date (1825) has been honored with his venerated name as Rutgers College. In the public movements of his denomination (the Dutch Reformed), he was "a prince and a great man, whose praise is in all the churches." He died Feb. 17, 1830, in the full confidence and triumph of Christian hope. His last words were "Home! home!" (W.J.R.T.)