BOYD, James R., clergyman, born in Hunter, Greene County, New York, in 1804. He was prepared for College at the Albany (New York) academy, and was graduated at Union in 1822. After completing the theological course at Princeton in 1826, he spent a few weeks at Andover theological seminary, and in the winter of 1832 attended the lectures of Dr. Chahners in the University of Edinburgh, Scothmd. Returning to this country, he devoted several years to pastoral labors in the Presbyterian connection, but ill health compelled him to relinquish the work. He occupied for a time the chair of moral philosophy, and discharged the duties of pastor at Hamilton College, but soon resigned this place and made his home in Geneva, New York, devoting himself te literary work. His " Elements of Rhetoric and Literary Criticism," "Eclectic Moral Philosophy," and annotated and critical editions of standard works, have filled an important place among College and academic textbooks in the United States.