Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 02.djvu/76

 BURR.

BL'RRALL.

of religion in that institution. At the request of a large number of the leading clergymen and laity of New York and Boston, he delivered, in 1874, a course of lectures in both cities on " The Latest Astronomy against the Latest Atheism," and later repeated the course before the Sheffield scientific school, Williams college, and other institutions. He was a voluminous writer on scientific and theological subjects. Among his published works are : Application of the Cal- culus to the theory of NejJtinie (1848) ; Pater Mundi (1870) ; Ad Fidem (1871) ; Ecce Coleum, or Parish Astronomy (six lectures. 1872) ; Doctrine of Evolution (1873) ; A Song of the Sea (poem 1873) ; The Voyage (1874) ; Toward the Strait Gate (1875); In the Vineyard (1876) ; Dio, the Athenian (1881) ; Celestial Empire (1885) ; Universal Beliefs (1887) ; Long Ago (1888) : Practi- cal Relations (1889) ; Aleph, the Chaldean (1891) ; and Tempted to Unbelief.

BURR, Frank A., journalist, was born Nov. 24, 1843. When but three j^ears old his father consigned him to the care of a band of Chippewa Indians, who, when he was eight years of age, took him to Detroit, where he was a newsboy. Senator Chandler, on whose front stejis he was accustomed to fold his papers, became interested in him, and gave him an opportunity to advance himself. When he was eighteen years old he "went to the war as a private, and was advanced to the rank of colonel of cavalry. Afterward he became a locomotive engineer, an unsuccessful candidate for representative in Congress, L'nited States district attorney, an official in the patent office, and a journalist. He published a memor- able interview with Jefferson Davis, and claimed to have induced James G. Blaine to write his letters on the distribution of the surplus among the states. He wrote a life of General Grant, and one of Gen. James A. Beaver. For many years he was connected with the Philadelphia Press, but toward the close of his life wrote mainly for syndicates. He died at Camden, N. J.. Jan. 15, 1894.

BURR, George Lincoln, educator, was born at Oramel-on-the-Genesee, N. Y., Jan. 30, 1857;. son of Dr. WiUiam Josiah and Jane (Lincoln) Burr. He prepared for college at Homer, N. Y., and in 1873, to gain means for his further education, he taught school, then learned the printer's trade at Cortland, N. Y., and in 1877 entered Cornell university, where he had charge of the presi- dent's library, and, at his graduation in 1881, President White made him his secretary. In 1884 to 1886 he studied abroad, and was for two years engaged with Mr. White in historical research on both sides of the Atlantic. In 1888 he became an instructor in historv at Cornell.

and later was raised to a professorship, still retain- ing his charge of the White historical library, afterwards transferred to the university. The commission appointed by President Cleveland in 1896 to investigate and report upon the true divisional line between Venezuela and British Guiana made Professor Burr its historical expert, and sent him abroad to search in European archives for further light upon the disputed boundaries. His reports and maps, together with, the transcripts brought by him from Euroi^e, were published by the commission. Besides portions of a catalogue of the White historical library, he published several studies of the witch- persecution.

BURR, Theodosia, daughter of Aaron Burr. (See Allston, Theodosia.)

BURRAQE, Henry Sweetser, author, was born at Fit 4iburg, Mass., Jan. 7, 1837. He was graduated at Brown xrniversity in 1861. and at Newton theological institution in 1867, after which he studied at the University of Halle, Germany, 1868-'69; was pa.stor of the Baptist church, Waterville, Me., to October, 1873, when he became editor and proprietor of Zion's Advo- cate, Portland, Me. While a divinity student, in 1862, he enlisted in the 36th Massachusetts volunteers; was commissioned 2d and 1st lieu- tenant and captain ; was wounded at Cold Harbor, June 3, 1864 : prisoner of war from Nov. 1. 1864, to Feb. 22, 1865; was ajipointed assistant adjutant-general on the staff of the 1st brigade, 2d division, 9th army corps; brevetted major; mustered out of service June 8, 1865, and re- turned to his studies. He became a member of the Maine historical society and of the military order of the Loyal Legion, and of the Sons of the American revolution. He published numer- ous review articles, and also. The Act of Bap- tism in tiie History of the Christian Church (1879) : History of the Aiiabaptists in Siritzer- land (1882) ; and Baptist Hymn Wi'iters and their Hymns (1887) ; History of the Bcqjtists of Xeio England (1894) ; The First Mention of Pemaquid in History (1894) ; The St. Croix Coinmission (1895). He also edited Broini University in the Civil War (1868) ; Henry Wadsicorfh Longfellow, Seventy-fifth Birtliday (1882) ; History of the SGth Mass. Vols. (1884); Rosier's Relation, of Waymoufh's Voyage to the Coast of Maine in 1605 (1887). He re- ceived the degree of D.D. from Brown university in 1883, and was elected a trustee in 1889.

BURRALL, William Porter, lailroad presi- dent, was born in Canaan, Conn., in 1806. He was graduated at Yale in 1826, and was admitted to the bar in 1829. Ten years of successful practice followed, and in 1839 he became the pre.-.ident of tiie Housatonic railroad company.