William Porcher DuBose (August 18th) is unanimously acclaimed as the greatest theologian that the Episcopal Church has ever produced. In his lifetime he was considered the best thinker on either side of the Atlantic. Born in South Carolina in 1836, he attended The Citadel, where his religious awakening occurred. After further studies at the University of Virginia he entered the Diocesan Seminary in South Carolina. This course was interrupted by the outbreak of the Civil War.

He became a line officer in the Confederate army, but he continued theological studies privately. Wounded three times in two battles, he was also held as a prisoner, being released on an exchange. He was ordained a Deacon in 1864 to serve as an army chaplain. With the war’s end, DuBose was ordained a priest and served two congregations, very nearly being elected a bishop in 1871.

In 1873 he was called to be Chaplain and Professor at The University of the South, Sewanee, TN. As Chaplain, DuBose undertook the rebuilding and evolution of the University, including the establishment of the School of Theology in 1878. He was Dean of the seminary from 1893 until his retirement in 1908. He continued to publish the most respected books in his field until his death in 1918 (indeed, they have yet to be surpassed). But it would be mistaken to focus only on his highly original and creative (and often difficult!) thought. For Dr. DuBose, doctrine and life were inseparable. His strong personal faith was not only the basis of his work but also was inspiringly evident to all who knew him. Throughout his forty-five years at Sewanee, he was revered as its very Spirit. The “Sage and Seer of Sewanee” lies buried in the University cemetery

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