Spicer, William Ambrose, 1865-1952
Person
Dates
- Existence: December 19, 1865 - October 17, 1952
Biographical
Born 1865 into a Seventh-day Baptist home, missionary, editor, and administrator William Ambrose Spicer early became an active Seventh-day Adventist. At 16, he served as a callboy for the Battle Creek Sanitarium and within a few years as a secretary to Dr. John H. Kellogg, the medical superintendent of that institution.
He went to England in 18 87 as a secretary to Stephen N. Haskell. He returned to America in 1892 as foreign missionary secretary of the General Conference, and the next year helped to establish the Solusi Mission in Matabeleland on 12,000 acres of land obtained from Cecil Rhodes, then prime minister of Cape Colony. In 1898 he went to India, and the next year became editor of the newly founded Oriental Watchman.
Having demonstrated leadership abilities in India, Spicer returned to America in 1901 as secretary of the Mission Board at Battle Creek, Michigan, and in 1903 became secretary of the General Conference. In 1922 he became President of the General Conference holding that office until 193 0. He then served as general field secretary of the General Conference until his retirement in 1940.
He continued as associate editor of the Review and Herald, and for a short time was its editor. Spicer wrote continuously for the Review and Herald, for 50 years, and produced numerous books, such as Our Day in the Light of Prophecy, Miracles of Modern Missions, and The Hand that Intervenes. He died at his home in Takoma Park, Maryland, October 17, 1952.
He went to England in 18 87 as a secretary to Stephen N. Haskell. He returned to America in 1892 as foreign missionary secretary of the General Conference, and the next year helped to establish the Solusi Mission in Matabeleland on 12,000 acres of land obtained from Cecil Rhodes, then prime minister of Cape Colony. In 1898 he went to India, and the next year became editor of the newly founded Oriental Watchman.
Having demonstrated leadership abilities in India, Spicer returned to America in 1901 as secretary of the Mission Board at Battle Creek, Michigan, and in 1903 became secretary of the General Conference. In 1922 he became President of the General Conference holding that office until 193 0. He then served as general field secretary of the General Conference until his retirement in 1940.
He continued as associate editor of the Review and Herald, and for a short time was its editor. Spicer wrote continuously for the Review and Herald, for 50 years, and produced numerous books, such as Our Day in the Light of Prophecy, Miracles of Modern Missions, and The Hand that Intervenes. He died at his home in Takoma Park, Maryland, October 17, 1952.
Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:
William A. Spicer Papers
Collection
Identifier: Collection 3
Content Description
The collection contains correspondence, papers, manuscripts, articles, quotations, clippings, notes, an account of a symposium, etc. written by Spicer and others during the course of his life.
Dates:
Majority of material found within 1807 - 1951
William A. Spicer Papers
Accession
Identifier: Collection 3