George W. Webber

George William Webber (May 2, 1920 – July 10, 2010) was an American Protestant minister, and social activist who served as president of the New York Theological Seminary from 1969 to 1983. In 1948, Webber opened a string of storefront churches starting with a church in East Harlem and developed a program to teach theology to inmates at Sing Sing.

Early life and education Webber was born on May 2, 1920, in Des Moines, Iowa, where he attended Theodore Roosevelt High School. He earned his undergraduate degree from Harvard University, attending on a basketball scholarship, and enlisted in the United States Navy in 1942. He was ordained as a minister by the United Church of Christ. During his tenure as president of the seminary from 1969 to 1983, Webber doubled the size of the school's enrollment, reaching out to expand attendance by African American, Hispanic and female students. He was awarded an honorary degree from Yale University in 1981, which recognized him as a "prophet for the cause of justice".

Later life Webber created a theological training program at Sing Sing prison in Ossining, New York, which had awarded Master of Theology degrees to 350 inmates by the time of Webber's death in 2010. Many of the graduates went on to lead churches and other social service careers, with very few returning to prison.

Death Webber died at age 90 on July 10, 2010, at his home in Maplewood, New Jersey as a result of complications of Alzheimer's disease. He was survived by his wife, the former Helen Barton, as well as by two daughters, three sons, 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Books published He was the author of three books about his ministry: - Total pages: 158 - Total pages: 160 - Total pages: 208 - Total pages: 208