Ezra Brainerd

Ezra Brainerd (1844-1924) was born at St. Albans, Vermont, Dec. 17, 1844. His early life was spent in that town, where he received his preparation for college. Through the influence of the Rev. Dr. J. E. Rankin he was led to enter Middlebury College in the autumn of 1860. He graduated in 1864, receiving the first honor, and was immediately appointed tutor for the following year. There is but one other instance in the history of the college of the appointment for a student to the position of instructor for the year succeeding his graduation. After serving for two years as tutor, Mr. Brainerd entered the Theological Seminary at Andover, Mass., where he graduated in 1868. He was at once appointed to the chair of Rhetoric and English Literature in Middlebury College, left vacant by the resignations of Professor Brainerd Kellogg, who had been called to the Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute. He filled this position until 1880, when he was made Professor of Physics and Applied Mathematics.