Alexander Viets Griswold

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Alexander Viets Griswold April 22, 1766 - February 15, 1843 was a Protestant Episcopalian Bishop and evangelist.

Born in Simsbury, Connecticut, son of Elisha Griswold and Eunice Viets. Died in Boston, Massachusetts. He married Elizabeth Mitchelson on 6 May 1785 or 1786 at Scotland (now Bloommfield), CT. They had 12 children.

He received the degree of D. D. from Brown in 1810, from Princeton in 1811, and from Harvard in 1812.

He was ordained deacon on June 7, 1795, and priest on Oct. 1, 1795. He served three small churches in Litchfield County. Taught school. Griswold was chosen rector of St. Michael's Church, Bristol, Rhode Island, in 1804. Elected bishop and consecrated on May 31, 1811. Served as the Episcopal Church's fifth Presiding Bishop from July 17, 1836, until his death.

He wrote the hymn Holy Father, great Creator. He also published Discourses on the Most Important Doctrines and Duties of the Christian Religion (1830); The Reformation and the Apostolic Office (1843); and Remarks on Social Prayer Meetings {1858). His memoirs were published by Dr. J. S. Stone. Some of his papers and a lock of his hair are stored in the University Library, University of Rhode Island.

Rivermont Collegiate renamed their Davenport location in honor of Dr. Griswold.

[edit] References

Julian, John (June, 1907). A Dictionary of Hymnology. London: John Murray, 471. 

The Episcopal Church. Alexander Viets Griswold. Retrieved on January 30, 2007.

St. James Episcopal Church. The Period of the Episcopate of Bishop Griswold in the Eastern Diocese. Retrieved on January 30, 2007.

Holcombe Family Genealogy. Holcombe Family Genealogy. Retrieved on January 30, 2007.

University of Rhode Island, Library Collection. Records of the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island. Retrieved on January 30, 2007.

Virtual American Biographies. Alexander Viets Griswold. Retrieved on January 30, 2007.