Before Reverend Stephen Elliott’s indenture as president of the Georgia Historical Society from 1864 until his death in 1867, he had an illustrious career within the Episcopal Church and a passion for education and literature. In 1840, Reverend Elliott (1806-1866) was elected as the first bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia and in 1841 became rector of St. John’s Church, Savannah. He served an integral role in the establishment of Episcopal churches throughout the state, as well as founding the Georgia Episcopal Institute at Montpelier, one of the first schools for girls in Georgia, and the University of the South at Sewanee. Elliott died in Savannah on December 21, 1866, and is buried in Savannah’s Laurel Grove Cemetery.

Sources:

• Montpelier Institute marker
• Archives of the Diocese of Georgia
• Eulogy on the life and character of the Rt. Rev. Stephen Elliott, D. D.: bishop of the diocese of Georgia and president of the Georgia Historical Society by Solomon Cohen. BX5995.E45 C65 1867