Theodore T. Munger

Theodore Thornton Munger (March 5, 1830 - January 11, 1910) was an American Congregational clergyman, theologian and writer.

Theodore Thornton Munger
BornMarch 5, 1830
Bainbridge, New York
DiedJanuary 11, 1910
OccupationPastor
Theological work

Biography

Born on March 5, 1830 in Bainbridge, New York, Munger graduated from Yale University in 1851 and from Yale Divinity School in 1855.[1] He studied under Horace Bushnell at Yale Divinity School. After graduating in 1855, Munger began preaching in Massachusetts. In 1885, he was appointed pastor of the United Church in New Haven, Connecticut.

Munger was an advocate of theistic evolution. He argued that "evolution not only perfects our conception of the unity of God, but... strengthens the argument from design".[2] However, Munger rejected the concept of survival of the fittest.[3] Munger promoted liberal theology and maintained that revelation was a product of evolution and that there are no a priori scriptural truths.[4]

Munger was an early proponent of animal rights. He authored the book The Rights of Dumb Animals, published by the Connecticut Humane Society in 1896.

Munger's other publications include: On the Threshold (1880); The Freedom of Faith (1883); Lamps and Paths (1883); The Appeal to Life (1887); Horace Bushnell (1899) and Character Through Inspiration.[5]

Munger received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Illinois College (1883), Harvard University (1904) and Yale University (1908).[6]

He died on January 11, 1910.[6]

Famous Quotation

Munger is well known for a famous quotation which is usually misattributed to others. In his 1884 book On the Threshold he wrote the following:

"A purpose is the eternal condition of success. Nothing will take its place. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men of talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is a proverb. Education will not; the country is full of unsuccessful educated men. There is no road to success but through a clear, strong purpose."

This is extracted from a larger quote in the book. This shortened version, with the word "persistence" replacing the word "purpose" is often misattributed to President Calvin Coolidge in 1929. But the true source was Munger.[7]

Selected publications

References
  1. Mathisen, Robert R. (1982). The Role of Religion in American Life: An Interpretative Historical Anthology. University Press of America. p. 251. ISBN 978-0819125149
  2. Mathisen, Robert R. (2006). Critical Issues in American Religious History. Baylor University Press. p. 408. ISBN 978-1932792393
  3. Sasaki, Motoe. (2016). Redemption and Revolution: American and Chinese New Women in the Early. Cornell University Press. p. 60. ISBN 978-0801451393
  4. Mayer, Frederick. (1964). American Ideas and Education. C. E. Merrill Books. p. 279
  5. Munger, Theodore Thornton. The Encyclopedia Americana, 1906.
  6. Obituary Record of Graduates of Yale University, 1905-1910. New Haven: The University. p. 1179
  7. "Purpose and Persistence Are Required for Success: Unrewarded Genius Is Almost a Proverb". Quote Investigator. Retrieved October 5, 2020.

Further reading
  • Theodore Thornton Munger papers (MS 362). Manuscripts and Archives, Yale University Library.
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