George Madison Bodge

George Madison Bodge (February 14, 1841 – July 17, 1914) was an American author and historian best known for his study of King Philip's War. He also wrote and edited numerous articles and books focusing on the Unitarian Church and genealogy.

Life Bodge was born in Windham, Maine, on February 14, 1841, the third of five children, to Rev. John Anderson Bodge and Esther A. Harmon. John Anderson Bodge became a clergyman after working as a blacksmith.

On July 15, 1861, George Bodge enlisted into the 7th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment as a fife major for three years of service, but was discharged October 26, 1862, likely when the unit was ordered back to Portland, Maine, to recruit. His enlistment documents show him to be a single school teacher when he enlisted. After the war, he attended Bowdoin College, graduating in 1868. He continued his career as an educator, serving as the principal of Gould Academy in Bethel, Maine, until 1871, of Gorham Seminary until 1874, and of the Westbrook Seminary, which later became Westbrook College. He remained at Westbrook for four years.

Bodge then chose to attend Harvard Divinity School and graduated in 1878. After graduation, he was ordained as a Unitarian pastor and served at the Third Society, Dorchester, Massachusetts (Unitarian), until October 31, 1884. He then became the minister of the First Parish of Westwood, Massachusetts, on February 19, 1899. The Mayflower Society, the Massachusetts Society of Colonial Wars, the New England Historic Genealogical Society and the Sons of the American Revolution.