Windham

LAWSON, George Benedict

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, p 247

George Benedict LAWSON, clergyman and educator, Saxtons River [Windham 
County, Vermont], was born at Brooklyn [Kings County], New York, son of Rev. 
Dr. Albert G. and Eliza (KNIGHT) LAWSON. His father is a distinguished 
member and one of the leaders of the Baptist denomination in Brooklyn, New 
York. The subject was educated at Brooklyn Polytechnic, 1884; Colgate 
University, A. B. 1888; Union Theological Seminary; and University of Bonn, 
Germany; holds degrees of Master of Arts and Doctor of Divinity conferred by 
Colgate University. Was ordained as a minister of the Baptist Church at 
Delhi [Delaware County], New York, August 1891, where he served until 1894; 
was pastor of the First Baptist Church at Bennington [Bennington County, 
Vermont], from 1895 to 1901; Pleasant Street, Worcester, Massachusetts, 1901 
to 1902; Baptist Church at Brattleboro [Windham County, Vermont], 1902 to 
1908; and has been principal of Vermont Academy since August 1908.

During his administration the academy has changed from a coeducational to an 
exclusively boys school, the rates have been increased and the standard 
raised, so that the academy takes high rank today among New England schools; 
has been able to raise sufficient funds to pay off a mortgage of $25,000 and 
provide for the floating debt, bringing the school to a firm financial 
standing; his ability to rally the alumni to enthusiastic support of his 
progressive enterprises proves that "he makes men and groups of men at widely 
separated positions of thought, training and habit of life friendly to a 
common cause and loyal to him as a leader."

In 1900 was commissioned as Chaplain of the First Regiment Vermont National 
Guard, serving until the retirement of Col. J. G. ESTEY in 1910. Republican. 
Has twice served as president of the Vermont Baptist convention, and is 
constantly in demand as a preacher and lecturer. In 1892 he [George Benedict 
LAWSON] married [Miss?] Kitty Parshall LEWIS of Hamilton [Madison County], 
New York, eldest daughter of the late Dr. John James LEWIS, professor of 
literature and history, Colgate University. They have two daughters: 
Margaret Louise and Elizabeth Knight.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly