Why George Berkeley Matters to Newport

One of the most consequential philosophers of the 18th century, the Anglo-Irish scholar and priest George Berkeley lived near Newport 1729-1731 while awaiting funds to establish an Anglican seminary in the New World. He was, at the time, arguably the preeminent intellectual in the British colonies and made significant contributions to the cultural life of Newport, including as co-founder of the Philosophical Society, precursor to the Redwood Library and Athenaeum. This lecture will explore Berkeley’s legacy here in Newport as well as his larger contributions to intellectual and church history.

Jere Wells is a retired educator, whose most recent position was Director of Educational Leadership and Ministry at Yale Divinity School. His most recent book is Into Regions Beyond: A History of Berkeley Divinity School at Yale. He currently resides in Newport, where his wife is the rector of Emmanuel Church (Episcopal).