Chittenden

BUCKHAM, Matthew Henry

1st Biography of Matthew Henry BUCKHAM

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, p 49

Matthew Henry BUCKHAM, of Burlington [Chittenden County, Vermont], was born 
04 July 1832 at Hinckley, Leicestershire, England, son of Rev. James BUCKHAM. 
He pursued his preparatory studies in the academy at Ellington [Tolland 
County], Connecticut, and also at a private school in Canada. Entering the 
University of Vermont in September 1847, he graduated from it in August 1851. 
He was principal of the Lenox Academy at Lenox [Berkshire County], 
Massachusetts, from 1851 to 1853. In September 1853 he became tutor of 
languages in the University of Vermont. In August 1854 he sailed for Europe, 
spent two years there in travel and study, and returned in 1856 to enter upon 
a professorship in the University of Vermont. He occupied the chair of Greek 
in that institution from 1856 to 1871, and also performed the duties of 
professor of English literature from 1865 to 1871.

On 03 December 1857 he [Matthew Henry BUCKHAM] married [Miss?] Elizabeth 
WRIGHT, of Shoreham [Addison County, Vermont]. In August 1871 he was elected 
to the presidency of the University of Vermont, and was duly inaugurated as 
the successor of Dr. James B. ANGELL. President BUCKHAM received the degree 
of D. D. from Dartmouth College in 1877, and also in the same year from 
Hamilton College, New York. With all the educational interests of Vermont he 
was intimately identified as a member of the State Board of Education from 
1867 to 1874. His published writings have principally taken the form of 
articles in reviews and educational publications; of addresses, sermons, etc.



2nd Biography of Matthew Henry BUCKHAM

Encyclopedia Vermont Biography: A Series of Authentic Biographical Sketches 
of the Representative Men of Vermont and Sons of Vermont in Other States. 
Dodge. Burlington: Ullery Publishing Company, 1912, pp 132-133

Matthew Henry BUCKHAM, president University of Vermont (1871-1910), 
Burlington [Chittenden County, Vermont], was born 04 July 1832 at Hinckley, 
Leicestershire, England, son of Rev. James and Margaret (BARMBY) BUCKHAM. 
His preparatory studies were directed by his father, an accurate classic 
scholar; graduated from University of Vermont, A. B., 1851, at age of 
nineteen, receiving highest honors of his class; was ordained a clergyman of 
the Congregational Church; received degree of D. D. from both Dartmouth and 
Hamilton Colleges in 1877, and LL. D. from Middlebury College 1910, Dartmouth 
and Wesleyan having given him the same degree in 1909. 

In 1857 he [Matthew Henry BUCKHAM] married [his first wife] Elizabeth WRIGHT 
[a maiden name?] of Shoreham [Addison County, Vermont]; they had four 
children: (1) James, a journalist, deceased; (2) John Wright, clergyman; 
(3) Robert Barmby, lawyer; and (4) Charles Wyman, architect. A daughter, 
(5) Mary (Mrs. William MARSH), resides in Boston [Suffolk County, 
Massachusetts]. For his second wife, he [Matthew Henry BUCKHAM] married in 
1897, Martha G. TYLER, daughter of Josiah TYLER, D. D., of St Johnsbury 
[Caledonia County, Vermont]; they had one daughter, Laura Tyler. 

Mr. BUCKHAM served two years as principal of Lenox Academy [Berkshire 
County], Massachusetts; was tutor in languages one year at University of 
Vermont; studied and traveled in England and Germany 1854-1856; on his return 
was made professor of Greek, a position he retained until advanced to the 
presidency in 1871, acting also as professor of rhetoric and English 
literature 1856-1857 and 1863-1871, when he assumed the chair of political 
and social science. Served as town superintendent of education; city school 
commissioner 1869-1880; member State Board of Education 1867-1874; member 
board of examiners U. S. Military Academy, West Point, 1876; president board 
of directors Mary Fletcher Hospital from the beginning of that institution; 
president board of trustees Fletcher Library from its opening in 1875 to the 
time of his death; president Association of American Agricultural Colleges 
and Experiment Stations 1905-1906; vice president National Association of 
State Universities 1909-1910. Matthew Henry BUCKHAM died at Burlington 
[Chittenden County, Vermont], 29 November 1910.

Was well known as a speaker on religious, social and educational themes. At 
the annual meeting of the National Association of State Universities in 1911, 
the committee on resolutions reported as follows: "Dr. Buckham brought to 
the discharge of his duties a scholarship broad and deep and accurate, and an 
executive and administrative capacity of a high order. His pure, elegant 
English, his easy and ready elocution, the breadth of his conceptions, and 
the lucidity of their expression could not fail to arrest the attention o 
even a casual reader [p 133] or listener. His admirable sense of proportion 
and the orderly arrangement of his argument, with his wealth of metaphor and 
illustration, made his addresses a constant inspiration and delight." 

Among his published essays are: "The Art of Living Together," "Not to 
Destroy, but to Fulfill," "The Real Bible," "The Economic Situation," "The 
Very Elect," "Reserve in Matters of Religion," "Dead Languages, Forsooth," 
"The Preacher's Opportunity as Seen by the College President," "On Mighty 
Pens," "The Love of Difficulty," "The Rustic Speech of the English-Speaking 
People," "The Schoolmaster's Self Estimate," "Concio ad Alumnos," "The 
Cultivation of Memory," "The Cultivation of the Imagination," "Moral 
Conditions of the Imagination," "Moral Conditions of Intellectual 
Attainment," and "Scholarly Accomplishments in Everyday Life."

Submitted by Cathy Kubly