George Washington Henderson

Reverend George Washington Henderson (November 16, 1850 – February 6, 1936) was an American theologian and professor, known for being the first Black member of Phi Beta Kappa.

Early life and education

Henderson was born enslaved in Clarke County, Virginia, on November 11, 1850. He was the son of George Vincent Henderson (b. 1828) and Harriet A. (Macy) Henderson.

Henderson arrived in Vermont unable to read or write but attended Underhill Academy where he received intensive tutoring from the principal, as well as Barre Academy, receiving his diploma in 1873. Henderson's commencement speech was entitled "The Economy of Moral Forces in History." He was inducted in Phi Beta Kappa that same year. Henderson completed a master's degree at UVM in 1880 and a Bachelor's of Divinity from Yale University in 1883. He received a Hooker Fellowship and studied in Berlin. He was UVM's second African American graduate, after Andrew Harris of the class of 1838. UVM awarded him an Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree in 1896. He was elected to the American Negro Academy but was only able to serve for three years because of his involvement with civil rights work.

Family and legacy

Henderson was married twice. His first wife Hattie Eliza Gage worked at Craftsbury Academy while he was principal. They married August 18, 1884. She died of complications from childbirth on March 22, 1886. They had one child, Willard Atwood Henderson who died of consumption on November 29, 1886. Henderson married his second wife, Mary Virginia Harris, of New Orleans on April 2, 1889.

The George Washington Henderson Fellowship Program was established at the University of Vermont in 2006 to honor his memory.