The life of Orson Spencer

The scope of this thesis is to trace the life and contributions of Orson Spencer, who lived during the first half of the 19th century. Early in his life he was a distinguished Baptist minister in the Mew England states, and he later became a prominent member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day faints. It was to religion that a major portion of his life was dedicated. There exist two works dealing with his life. One was written by his daughter Aurelia Rogers Spencer, and the other was written by his grandson Seymour Spencer. Both of these are eulogies of his life although they give some interesting information concerning his family life and back round. Neither of these works deal with his contributions to the educational system, of the Mormons nor with his work as an official of the government of the City of Nauvoo.