The Resume

(February 15, 1843-December 6, 1925)
Born in South Worthington, Massachusetts
Baptist minister (ordained 1881)
Founder and first president (1887-1925) of Temple University in Philadelphia
Delivered his most famous sermon, 'Acres of Diamonds,' over 6,000 times

Why he might be annoying:

He was mustered out of the 2nd Massachusetts Artillery after the company he commanded was overrun by Confederates while he was absent (1863).
'Acres of Diamonds' was a forerunner of the 'prosperity gospel' movement: 'I say that you ought to get rich and it is your duty to get rich.'
He said, 'Let us remember, there is not a poor person in the United States who was not made poor by his own shortcomings.'
Among the many honorary degrees he received were two from Temple.

Why he might not be annoying:

He was shot in the shoulder during the Gum Swamp campaign in North Carolina (1862).
An exploding artillery shell broke bones in his shoulder and arm during the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain (1864).
He reportedly earned $8 million from 'Acres of Diamonds,' so at least you could not accuse him of not practicing what he preached.
After his death, the proceeds from 'Acres of Diamonds' were donated to the Sunday Breakfast Association, a homeless shelter in Philadelphia.

Credit: C. Fishel

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• 100 Greatest American Speeches of the 20th Century (Ranked: 24)
• Atheists Who Found God
• C. Fishel's Profiles [Series 84]
• I Attended Yale
• I Died in 1925 (Ranked: 82)
• I Took a Bullet
• Look at Me, I'm Reading
• Profiles 53001-53250 (Ranked: 53245)
• Served in the American Civil War [1861-65]

Year In Review:

In 2023, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying