HALE, Benjamin, educator, born in Newburyport, Massachusetts, 23 November, 1797; died there, 15 July, 1863. He was graduated at Bowdoin in 1818, studied theology at Andover, and in 1822 was licensed to preach as a Congregationalist. In 1823 he became tutor in Bowdoin, but subsequently established the Gardiner lyceum, of which he became principal. From 1827 till 1835 (when his chair was abolished) he was professor of chemistry and mineralogy at Dartmouth, and aided in the foundation of its geological and mineralogical cabinet. Meantime, he took orders in the Protestant Episcopal church. The winter of 1835-'6 he spent in St. Croix, W. I., for his health. In 1836 he became president of Hobart college, Geneva, New York, and held the office till feeble health compelled him to resign on 19 January, 1858, when he returned to his native town. He published "Introduction to the Mechanical Principles of Carpentry" (Boston, 1827) and "Scriptural Illustrations of the Liturgy" (1835).