Teacher, preacher, Chautauqua Institution co-founder and Methodist bishop John H. Vincent (1838-1920) was a renowned leader in the Sunday School and life-long learning movements of the 19th century. In 1910, Vincent published his life story. A century later, Archivist Tim Binkley began a quest to locate and re-publish Vincent’s elusive autobiography so that the bishop could tell his own story to new generations of readers. That goal was realized in 2024 with the publication of John Heyl Vincent’s Reminiscences by Southern Methodist University’s Bridwell Press.
In this presentation, Binkley will speak about Vincent’s life, including his connections to Lakeside. He will also read passages from Vincent’s Reminiscences and discuss his 14-year book project. Finally, through the miracle of Thomas Edison’s phonograph technology, we will hear Vincent speak again.
Binkley is a public historian and certified archivist who serves Berea College (Berea, Kentucky) as Assistant Professor of Library Science and Head of Special Collections and Archives. He is also a retired minister in the Church of the Brethren, one of the historic peace churches. Binkley is a native of Springfield, Ohio, and a graduate of Defiance College, Bethany Theological Seminary (Richmond, Indiana) and Wright State University (Dayton, Ohio). Prior to joining the Berea College faculty, he held positions at The Henry Ford (Dearborn, Michigan), Onekama Church of the Brethren (Onekama, Michigan), United Theological Seminary (Dayton, Ohio) and Perkins School of Theology (Dallas).
Binkley is the compiler and editor of two books: A Higher Moral and Spiritual Stand: Selected Writings of Milton Wright (Scarecrow Press, 2009) and John Heyl Vincent’s Reminiscences: Autobiographical Writings of the Founding Superintendent of Chautauqua (Bridwell Press, 2024). He has presented two Chautauqua Institution Heritage Lectures (2018 and 2024) and addressed gatherings of The Peace History Society, The Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies, The Hymn Society of the United States and Canada, the Heirs of Pietism in World Christianity Conference and The Mid Atlantic Archives Conference.
