William Dawson
William Dawson was an influential figure in early American education and literature, born in Cumberland County, England, in 1704. After completing his education at Queen's College, Oxford, he relocated to Virginia in 1729, where he began teaching philosophy at the College of William and Mary. In addition to his academic role, he served as a local chaplain and rector of the James City church and married Mary Stith, sister of historian William Stith. Dawson's literary contributions include the publication of "Poems on Several Occasions" in 1736, recognized as the first known volume of poetry in the Virginia colony, characterized by a pastoral style and numerous references to his Oxford background. Although many of his works have not survived, he was noted for his poetry in local gazettes and provided tributes to notable individuals, including a significant elegy for Robert "King" Carter. In 1743, Dawson became the commissary of the Church of England in Virginia and president of the College of William and Mary, playing a vital role in church governance and educational leadership. His legacy continued after his death through his brother-in-law, William Stith, who followed him as president of the college.
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William Dawson
Poet
- Born: 1704
- Birthplace: Cumberland County, England
- Died: July 20, 1752
- Place of death: England
Biography
William Dawson was born in Cumberland County, England, in 1704 and attended Queen’s College at Oxford, where he earned his B.A. in 1725 and his M.A. in 1728. He moved to Virginia and began teaching philosophy at the College of William and Mary in 1729. He also served as a local chaplain and rector of the prestigious James City church. Around this time he married Mary Stith, the sister of the historian William Stith.
In 1736 he published Poems on Several Occasions. . . by a Gentleman of Virginia as the first known volume of verse produced in the Virginia colony. The poetic style he used was pastoral, and the fact that there are many references to Oxford in it helped scholars identify Dawson as the author. Many of Dawson’s other writings have been lost, but he was certainly a frequent contributor of poetry to gazettes, and several elegies of prominent figures are attributed to him. Among them is a 148- line tribute to Robert “King” Carter. In 1743, Dawson was elected commissary of the Church of England in Virginia and president of the College of William and Mary. As commissary, he was crucial in overseeing ecclesiastical jurisdiction that included church appointments as well as church discipline of both the clergy and laity. Following Dawson’s death, his brother- in-law William Stith served as president of William and Mary; William Stith was succeeded by his brother Thomas.