SIMPSON, Matthew, M. E. bishop, born in Cadiz, Ohio, 20 June, 1811: died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 18 June, 1884. He received the best education that the town afforded, and his father dying when the boy was two years old, he was instructed and encouraged by his uncle, Matthew Simpson, after whom he was named. The latter was a thorough scholar, generally informed, was in the state senate ten years, and for seven years a judge of the county court. He was familiar with Greek and Hebrew, and conferred upon his nephew many advantages that boys usually did not have at that early day in the west. When he was about sixteen years of age Matthew left home and became a student in Madison college, Pennsylvania, which has since been incorporated with Alleghany college at Meadville His progress was rapid and he became a tutor before he was nineteen years old. He soon began the study of medicine, and in 1833 entered upon its practice, but was drawn to the ministry and entered the Pittsburg conference of the Methodist Episcopal church on trial in 1834. He was made third preacher of St. Clairsville circuit in Ohio Here his success was marked, and the following year he was removed to Pittsburg. In 1837 he was transferred to Williamsport, and the same year elected vice-president and professor of natural science in Alleghany college. He was chosen president of Indiana Asbury (now De Pauw) university, Greencastle, Indiana, in 1839. This post he filled with great popularity for nine years. His eloquence made him in great demand in the pulpit and on the platform, His personal qualities gave him an extraordinary influence over students, and made him efficient in raising money for the endowment of the college. In 1844 he was elected to the general conference, and in 1848 he was re-elected, tie appeared in 1852 in the conference as the leader of his delegation, and at this conference he was made bishop. In 1857 he was sent abroad as a delegate to the English and Irish conference of the Wesleyan connection, and was also a delegate to the World's evangelical alliance which met in Berlin His preaching and addresses upon this tour attracted great attention, particularly his sermon before the alliance, which extended his fame as a pulpit orator throughout the world. After its adjournment he travelled through Turkey, Palestine, Egypt, and Greece. In 1859 he removed from Pittsburg to Evanston, Illinois, and became nominally president of Garrett biblical institute. Subsequently he removed to Philadelphia. His powers as an orator were displayed during the civil war in a manner that commanded the admiration and gratitude of the people. President Lincoln regarded him as the greatest orator he ever heard, and at his funeral in Springfield Bishop Simpson officiated. He made many addresses in behalf of the Christian commission, and delivered a series of lectures that had much to do with raising the spirit of the people. His official duties took him abroad in 1870 and in 1875. In 1874 he visited Mexico At the Ecumenical council of Methodists in London he was selected by the representatives of all branches to deliver the opening sermon. After the news of the death of President Garfield he delivered an address at Exeter hall. He was selected by the faculty of Yale to deliver a series of addresses before the students of the theological department, which were published as "Lectures on Preaching" (New York, 1879). In later years his appearance was patriarchal. His eloquence was simple and natural, but increasing in power from the beginning to the close. It was peculiar to himself and equally attractive to the learned and the ignorant. When he was at his best few could resist his pathetic appeals. Though his eloquence is the principal element of his fame, he was a man of unusual soundness of judgment, a parliamentarian of remarkable accuracy and promptitude, and one of the best presiding officers and safest of counsellors. He was present in the general conference in Philadelphia in 1884. Though broken in health so as not to be able to sit through the sessions, his mind was clear and his farewell address made a profound impression. Bishop Simpson published "Hundred Years of Methodism" (New York, 1876), and " Cyclopaedia of Methodism" (Philadelphia, 1878; 5th ed., revised, 1882). After his death a volume of his "Sermons " was edited by Reverend George R. Crooks, D. D. (1885). A window in his memory is to be placed by American admirers in City Road chapel, London, where John Wesley preached.