Dr. Matthew William Gilbert

Named in honor of Dr. Matthew Gilbert, pastor of Bethel Baptist Institutional church and the first principal of the Florida Baptist Academy which later moved to St. Augustine.The new school was first called Franklin Street public school but was later named for Gilbert.

The Reverend Doctor Matthew William Gilbert was both a member of the Class of 1887 and the first confirmed African American to graduate from Colgate University.

M. W. Gilbert was born in Mechanicsville, Lee County, South Carolina on July 25, 1862 to Mary and the Reverend Mark Gilbert.He attended local public schools until 1880 when he entered the Benedict Institute (now Benedict College) pursuing a "College Preparatory Course" which he completed in the spring of 1883.After a rigid examination he entered the freshman class of Colgate University, scoring third among 20 white applicants, in the fall of the same year.During his time at Colgate he continuously challenged prevalent conceptions of African Americans and, through his achievements, was able to force the institution to recognize the validity of the African American Scholar.While a sophomore not only was he the first African American to be chosen to compete for the "Kingsford prize for Excellence in Declamation" (debate) but also was the first man of color to win first place.He was elected to both the position of Class Secretary and Treasurer (for his entire Colgate career!) and, in his senior year, was selected as Class Historian. In 1890 Colgate University conferred upon him the degree of MA - he also received the degree of DD from Guadalupe College, Seguin, Texas and that of BD from the Union Seminary of New York City.

After graduating from Colgate Reverend Doctor Matthew William Gilbert served in many illustrious capacities.He was the pastor of the first Baptist Church of Nashville, Tenn; of the Bethel Baptist Church of Jacksonville, Fla; the First African Baptist Church of Savannah, Ga; the Central Baptist Church of Charleston, SC; and of the Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, New York City.Not only did he serve the spiritual needs of the people, but also their educational demands.He was the principal of the Florida Institute at Live Oak, Fla; the founder and principle of the Florida Baptist Academy of Jacksonville, Fla; Professor of Political Science, History and Modern Languages at the Colored State College at Orangeburg, SC.; and Professor of French, Greek and Theology in Benedict College at Columbia, SC.He served as editor of the Baptist Headlight, the Southern Courier and the South Carolina Standard.He was the chairman of the Education Board of the National Baptist Convention and was one of the principle participants in the foundation of a theological seminary for the "Colored Baptists of the Country" in Nashville.In 1882 Dr. Gilbert was married to Agnes Boozer with whom he had seven children.Ultimately he acted as the head of the Theology Department of Roger Williams College in Nashville.