Isaac Backus
- Born:
- January 9, 1724, Norwich, Connecticut
- Died:
- November 20, 1806, Middleborough, Massachusetts
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Baptist Pastor, Historian, Advocate for Religious Freedom
Early Life and Education
- Born into a Congregationalist family.
- Experienced a religious conversion in 1741.
- Became a Separatist Congregationalist and later a Baptist in 1748.
- Largely self-educated due to limited formal schooling.
Career and Major Achievements
- Ordained as a Baptist minister in 1748.
- Served as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Middleborough, Massachusetts, for 58 years.
- A leading figure in the Separate Baptist movement in New England.
- Actively campaigned for the separation of church and state and religious liberty.
- Led efforts to resist religious taxation.
- Served as an agent for the Grievance Committee of the Warren Association, advocating for Baptist rights.
- Presented arguments for religious freedom before the Continental Congress.
- Played a significant role in the Massachusetts ratifying convention for the U.S. Constitution, advocating for a Bill of Rights to protect religious freedom.
Notable Works
- Wrote extensively on theology, church history, and religious liberty.
Notable Publications
| Title | Year |
|---|---|
| A Fish Taken in an Evil Net | 1768 |
| An Appeal to the Public for Religious Liberty | 1773 |
| Church History of New England, From 1620 to 1804 (3 volumes) | 1777-1796 |
Legacy and Impact
Isaac Backus's legacy rests on his tireless advocacy for religious freedom and the separation of church and state in America. His writings and activism contributed significantly to the development of religious liberty as a fundamental principle in the United States. His Church History of New England remains a valuable resource for understanding the history of Baptists and religious life in early America. The comprehensive history of Isaac Backus biography continues to inspire those who seek religious freedom.