Myles Cooper

Myles Cooper was a British Anglican clergyman and educator who served as the President of King's College, now known as Columbia University, from 1763 to 1775. During his tenure, he was associated with notable figures such as Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, and Alexander Hamilton. Cooper's life and career were influenced by his connections to Oxford University, Christ Church, Oxford, and the Church of England. He was also acquainted with prominent individuals like George Whitefield, Jonathan Edwards (theologian), and Charles Inglis (bishop).

● Early Life and Education

Myles Cooper was born in England in 1735 and received his early education at Queen's College, Oxford. He later attended Christ Church, Oxford, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1756 and his Master of Arts degree in 1759. During his time at Oxford University, Cooper was influenced by the Tory ideology and developed strong connections with the Church of England. He was also familiar with the works of Isaac Newton, John Locke, and David Hume. Cooper's education and upbringing were shaped by his relationships with notable figures such as George III of the United Kingdom, William Pitt the Elder, and Edmund Burke.

● Career

Before becoming the President of King's College, Cooper served as a tutor at Queen's College, Oxford and later as a Chaplain to the Bishop of London. In 1762, he traveled to the American colonies and became acquainted with prominent individuals like Samuel Adams, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson. Cooper's career was marked by his involvement with the Church of England and his connections to Trinity Church (Manhattan), St. Paul's Chapel (Manhattan), and the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. He was also familiar with the works of Jonathan Swift, Alexander Pope, and Henry Fielding.

● Presidency of King's College

As the President of King's College, Cooper played a significant role in shaping the institution's early years. He was instrumental in establishing the college's curriculum, which included courses on Classics, Philosophy, and Theology. Cooper's presidency was also marked by his efforts to secure funding for the college, including a grant from King George III of the United Kingdom. During his tenure, Cooper interacted with notable figures such as William Livingston, William Alexander (American general), and Philip Livingston. He was also acquainted with the works of Immanuel Kant, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Voltaire.

● Later Life and Legacy

After leaving his position as President of King's College in 1775, Cooper returned to England and became the Rector of Bewdley in Worcestershire. He later moved to Edinburgh, Scotland, where he died in 1785. Cooper's legacy is complex, with some viewing him as a Tory loyalist who opposed the American Revolution, while others see him as a dedicated educator who contributed to the development of King's College. His life and career were influenced by his connections to University of Edinburgh, University of St Andrews, and the Church of Scotland. Cooper was also familiar with the works of Adam Smith, David Ricardo, and Thomas Malthus.

● Controversies and Criticisms

Cooper's presidency of King's College was marked by controversy, particularly with regards to his Tory ideology and his opposition to the American Revolution. He was criticized by Patriots such as Isaac Sears, Alexander McDougall, and John Lamb (American Revolution), who viewed him as a loyalist to the British Crown. Cooper's relationships with notable figures like William Tryon, Cadwallader Colden, and William Smith were also subject to scrutiny. His legacy continues to be debated among historians, with some viewing him as a symbol of Loyalism in the American Revolution and others seeing him as a dedicated educator who contributed to the development of Columbia University. Cooper's life and career were also influenced by his connections to the Treaty of Paris (1783), the Proclamation of 1763, and the Quebec Act.