Timothy Cutler was an influential 18th-century American clergyman and educator who served as the rector of Yale College. Born in Charlestown in 1684, he was a prominent figure in the transition of several ministers from Congregationalism to the Church of England. After his departure from Yale, he became the first rector of Christ Church in Boston, where he ministered from 1723 until his death in 1765. He was recognized for his extensive learning and his role as a leading Anglican leader in New England.
Academic and clerical career
After graduating from Harvard, Cutler served as a Congregational pastor in Stratford, Connecticut. In 1718, he accepted the position of rector at Yale College. His tenure there ended in 1722 when he and several colleagues decided to join the Church of England, questioning the validity of their previous ordinations. Following this shift, he traveled to London to be ordained by the Bishop of Norwich and earned doctorates from both Oxford and Cambridge.
Religious leadership
As the rector of Christ Church in Boston, Cutler advocated for the rights of the Episcopal community against the prevailing Puritan theocracy. He worked to exempt his congregants from certain religious taxes and established an Anglican library. He also sought to secure a seat on the Board of Overseers at Harvard and advocated for the appointment of a bishop to serve the American colonies.