Article

John Mockett Cramp

Published Online December 17, 2007

Last Edited December 13, 2013

John Mockett Cramp, Baptist minister, writer, educator (b at St Peter's, Isle of Thanet, Eng 25 July 1796; d at Wolfville, NS 6 Dec 1881). Although a well-known writer and theologian, Cramp made his important contribution in higher education.

Cramp, John Mockett

John Mockett Cramp, Baptist minister, writer, educator (b at St Peter's, Isle of Thanet, Eng 25 July 1796; d at Wolfville, NS 6 Dec 1881). Although a well-known writer and theologian, Cramp made his important contribution in higher education. After an unsuccessful period at the Canada Baptist College in Montréal, Cramp was appointed president of Acadia College in Wolfville. He was president 1850-53 and 1860-69, principal of its theological institute 1853-69 and "chairman of faculty" 1856-60.

Over these years he built that small Baptist college into a flourishing institution. He taught a vast array of courses, established an endowment fund, increased the number of students and professors significantly, and still found time for writing, editing and preaching. More than anyone else, Cramp shaped the early development of ACADIA UNIVERSITY at a time when most institutions of higher learning in the Maritimes were experiencing severe difficulties. In the process he influenced several generations of Baptist ministers, educators and leaders.