And the Wilderness Shall Blossom: Henry Benjamin Whipple, Churchman, Educator, Advocate for the Indians

When he died in 1902 Henry Benjamin Whipple was one of Minnesota s best-known citizens. In his 42 years as Episcopal Bishop of Minnesota he had overseen the development of the state s Episcopal Diocese and established two well-regarded secondary schools (Shattuck and St. Marys) and Seabury Seminary. In his denomination he was a force for conciliation and mission. But he was most famous as a champion of the rights of Native Americans. Although his advocacy of assimilating native peoples into the majority culture is now challenged in his time he was a major voice in bringing the plight of Native Americans onto the international stage. An outgoing charismatic figure Whipple was ninety percent St. John and ten percent New York politician a charming blend of evangelist and shrewd businessman whose friends ran the gamut from presidents to backwoodsmen. His simple sincerity and beautiful powerful voice made him a popular speaker and persuasive fund-raiser.Anne Beiser Allen tra