Slack, Elijah, Lld

Slack, Elijah, LL.D., a Presbyterian divine, was born in Lower Township, Bucks Co., Pa., Nov. 24, 1784. He professed religion in 1801, attended the grammarschool at Trenton, N.J., from 1803 to 1806, and graduated at the College of New Jersey, Princeton, in 1808. He was principal of the Trenton Academy three years, during which time he studied theology privately; was licensed by the New Brunswick Presbytery in 1811; was elected vice-president of the College of New Jersey and professor of natural philosophy and chemistry in 1812, and continued to discharge the appertaining duties for five years; removed to Cincinnati, O., in 1817, and was elected superintendent of the Literary and Scientific Institute in that city in 1819, the Cincinnati College being established, he was appointed president and professor of natural philosophy and chemistry, in which position he remained until 1828, when, from deficient endowment, the college closed. During this time he had, in connection with Dr. Daniel Drake, established the Cincinnati Medical College and Commercial Hospital. In 1837 he removed to Brownsville, Tenn., and established a high school for young men, which was very successful; but in 1842 returned to Cincinnati, and retired from public life. He died May 29, 1866. Dr. Slack was very closely identified for several years with the early educational interests of the West. A short time before his death his alma mater conferred upon him the title of Doctor of Laws. See Wilson, Presb. Hist. Almanac, 1867, p. 197. (J.L.S.)