Green, William Mercer

(May 2, 1798-Feb. 13, 1887). Bishop and educator. He was born in Wilmington, North Carolina. Green received his B.A. from the University of North Carolina in 1818. After reading theology he was ordained deacon on Apr. 29, 1821, and priest on Apr. 23, 1823. He was the rector of St. John's Church, Williamsboro, 1823-1826, and then rector of St. Matthew's Church, Hillsborough, 1826-1836, both in North Carolina. In 1837 he joined the faculty of the University of North Carolina. He was also rector of the Chapel of the Holy Cross, Chapel Hill, which he helped to found. On Feb. 24, 1850, he was consecrated the first Bishop of Mississippi, and served in that position until his death. Green was a great proponent of education as a function of the church. He founded three schools before the Civil War: St. Andrew's College, Jackson; Rose Gates, Okolona; and Trinity School, Pass Christian. He was also involved in the founding of the University of the South and served as its fourth Chancellor from Dec. 21, 1866, until his death. In 1873 he helped found the Bishop Green Training School in Dry Cove, Mississippi, to train African American men for ordained ministry. Green died in Sewanee, Tennessee.