Wharton, Francis

(Mar. 7, 1820-Feb. 21, 1889). Lawyer, priest, and government official. He was born in Philadelphia. Wharton graduated from Yale College in 1839 and then studied law. He was admitted to the Pennsylvania bar in 1843. Wharton became active in the Episcopal Church after the death of his wife in 1854. For a while he edited the Episcopal Recorder. In 1856 he accepted a teaching position at Kenyon College. He was ordained deacon on Apr. 11, 1862, and priest on Dec. 10, 1862. From 1863 until 1871 Wharton was rector of St. Paul's Church, Brookline, Massachusetts. He was one of the founders of the Episcopal Theological School and served there as the first dean, Apr. 19, 1867-July 3, 1867. Wharton taught various subjects at the Episcopal Theological School from 1867 until 1881. During the last years of his life Wharton was an official in the administration of President Grover Cleveland. He continued to write books on law and government. Wharton died in Washington, D. C.