Henry Whitney Bellows (1814-1882) was an American Unitarian minister and the founder of the U.S. Sanitary Commission during the Civil War.

Henry Bellows was born in Boston on June 11, 1814, the son of a wealthy merchant. He attended the progressive Round Hill School, which was run by the historian George Bancroft. Bellows was an outstanding student at Harvard College, graduating in 1832. Meanwhile, his father had lost his fortune, and Bellows, seeking work, taught school at Cooperstown, N.Y., then became a tutor to rich Louisianians. He returned north to enter the Harvard Divinity School. He accepted a pastorate in Mobile, Ala., but left because of distaste for slavery. His next charge was the First Unitarian Church (later All-Souls) in New York City, and though he was only 24 years old, he was instantly successful as a minister and in civic affairs.

Bellows had great energy, fluent and clear expression...