John James Lewis papers, A1054

John James Lewis was born in Utica, New York on December 25, 1833. He attended Madison University from 1860-63 but earned his bachelor of arts from Hamilton College in 1864. Lewis went on to teach belles letters and elocution at the Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute from 1865-1866. He was ordained in Utica in 1867 and preached in Syracuse afterwards. He then returned to Colgate as a professor in 1868. He taught logic and English literature classes until 1871 and then taught civil history, English literature and oratory classes until his contraction of pneumonia in 1884 led to his death. Lewis was a greatly respected and admired colleague and professor who was popular among staff and students alike for his enthusiasm, cheerful nature, and versatile literary and social tastes. While at Colgate, Lewis established the Lewis Prize in honor of his brother. The Lewis Prize was awarded to the winner of an oratorical contest that was held on campus. Lewis’s experiences, knowledge, ideas, and personal thoughts are conveyed through the means of letters, sermons, journals, and daybooks that he kept throughout his life.