Potter, Horatio

(Feb. 9, 1802-Jan. 2, 1887). Bishop and educator. He was born in Beekman (La Grange), Dutchess County, New York. He received his B.A. from Union College, Schenectady, New York, in 1826. He was ordained deacon on July 15, 1827, and priest on Dec. 14, 1828. His diaconate was spent at Trinity Church, Saco, Maine, and in 1828 he became professor of mathematics and natural philosophy at Washington College, Hartford, Connecticut. Potter became rector of St. Peter's Church, Albany, New York, in 1833, and on Nov. 22, 1854, he was consecrated the sixth Bishop of New York. Since Bishop Benjamin T. Onderdonk was still alive but suspended from office, Potter served as “provisional bishop” until Onderdonk's death on Apr. 30, 1861, when he became Bishop of New York. St. Stephen's College at Annandale-on-Hudson, New York, was established in 1860 under Potter's leadership. It was subsequently renamed Bard College. The Diocese of New York grew rapidly during Potter's episcopate. In 1868 the new dioceses of Albany, Central New York, and Long Island were created from the Diocese of New York. Potter died in New York City. Alonzo Potter was his brother. See Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, New York.