WHEELOCK, ELEAZER American educator, born at Windham, Conn., April 22, 1711. He graduated at Yale in 1733, studied theology, and in 1735 became a Congregationalist preacher at Lebanon, Conn. He also took young men into his house to fit them for college. One of these was a Mohegan Indian, Samson Occum, who made such excellent progress, that Wheelock decided to found a free school where both whites and Indians could be educated. With aid from various sources he conducted such a school at Lebanon from 1754-67, but without a large attendance. Desiring a more favourable location, Eleazer ac
cepted the offer of Gov. Wentworth of New Hampshire of a township of land on the Connecticut river. Thither he went with some 3o students in 1770, and with other settlers, they founded the town of Hanover. In recognition of the patronage of Lord Dartmouth the new college was named Dartmouth College. He died at Hanover, April 24, His son, John Wheelock (1754-1817), succeeded him as presi dent of Dartmouth.