Henry Dunster

1609-1659. Congregational minister and educator. Born in Bury, England, he was educated at Cambridge, taught school, and served as curate in his hometown. To escape High Church tyranny he fled to Massachusetts in 1640 and was immediately appointed first president of the newly established Harvard College. His reputation and administration gave Harvard a standing and character which persisted throughout the colonial period. Although poorly paid, he was a benefactor to the college. He lost his position in 1654 for advocating anti- paedobaptist views and refusing to have his child baptized. After public admonition he retired to the pastorate in Scituate, where he labored until his death. His revision of Eliot's Bay Psalm Book was used for many years.