Wilbur F. Tillett

Tillett, Wilbur Fisk, D.D. (Henderson, North Carolina, August 25, 1854--June 4, 1936). This eminent theologian, hymnologist, author, teacher, faithful minister of the gospel was member of four General Conferences of his church, the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and three times appointed to membership on its hymnal Commissions--1886, 1904, and 1930. Educated at Randolph-Macon College, Princeton, and Princeton Theological Seminary he was given honorary degrees by Randolph-Macon College, Wesleyan, Southwestern, and Northwestern Universities. After preaching two years at Danville, Virginia, 1880-1882, and acting as Chaplain and tutor in Theology at Vanderbilt University for a year, he was ordained in 1883. Spending the remainder of his life at Vanderbilt, he was in turn Professor of Systematic Theology, Professor of Christian Doctrine, Dean of the Theological Faculty, and Vice-Chancellor of the University. He was made Dean Emeritus in 1919. A full account of Dean Tillett, written after several years' association with him, may be found in Our Hymnody (McCutchan). A voluminous writer, his contributions to religious and other publications were numerous and he had eight books published.

--Robert G. McCutchan, DNAH Archives