John Henry Hobart (1775-1830), American Episcopal bishop, was his denomination's leading statesman during the early decades of the 19th century.

John Henry Hobart was born on Sept. 14, 1775. His father, an enterprising ship captain, died the following year, and the serious, vigorously intelligent boy was raised by his mother, a member of an old Philadelphia family. After attending the Episcopal Academy, Hobart entered the College of Pennsylvania at the age of 13. Announcing his faith publicly 2 years later, he received confirmation. Hobart transferred to Princeton and obtained the highest baccalaureate honors in 1793. Rejecting a mercantile career after a short period in a Philadelphia countinghouse, he pursued ministerial studies while a tutor at Princeton. After further preparation under Bishop William White, he became a deacon in 1798.

Following brief tenures at parishes in New Jersey and on Long Island, Hobart was appointed assistant minister at Trinity Church, New York, in 1800. Even before...