Samuel Blatchford

Samuel Blatchford (August 1, 1767 – March 17, 1828) was the first president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Early life Blatchford was born in Devonport, Devon, England on August 1, 1767. He was the oldest of four children born to Henry Blatchford and, his second wife, Mary (nee Heath) Blatchford, who married in 1766. From his father's first marriage, he had an older half-brother, John Blatchford, "who was eminent for his piety." His younger siblings from his parents marriage were Jane Blatchford, Joseph Blatchford (who died aged five) and William Blatchford (who died in infancy). He was educated at the Dissenting College of Theology at Homerton, now called Homerton College, Cambridge. Career On November 4, 1789, he was ordained and became pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Kingsbridge, Devon. In 1791, he became pastor of the church in Topsham, Devon.