Biography of Thomas Clap

Thomas Clap was conferred an honorary DD from the University of Glasgow in 1748, eight years in to his appointment as Yale President. The degree was granted at the request of the 6th Duke of Hamilton, whose family had contributed so much to the University.

Clap was born in Scituate, Massachusetts on 26 March 1703. A graduate of Harvard (1722), he was ordained and served as minister in Windham, Connecticut from 1725. In 1740, Clap was appointed President of Yale College, a position he held for 26 years. During his time there Clap's launched a massive expansion program, broadening the curriculum to include the teaching of Enlightenment subjects as Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, and rewrote the College Charter. He died in 1767.

Sources

Other Online Resources

• Yale University Website

Summary

Thomas Clap
Born 6 June 1703.
Died 7 January 1767.
GU Degree: DD, 1748;
University Link: Honorary Graduate
Occupation categories: clergy; educators
English snippet: Honorary graduate of the the University of Glasgow, President of Yale College
Record last updated: 27th Mar 2013

Country Associations

United States, Scituate
Place of Birth

United States, Connecticut, New Haven
Place of Death

University Connections

University Roles

• Honorary Graduate