A naturalist and Lutheran minister, John Bachman (1790-1874) was born in Rhenebeck, New York. He came to South Carolina in 1815 when he was appointed to St. John's Lutheran Church in Charleston, and became acquainted with a group of Charleston naturalists. As a naturalist, Bachman was closely associated with John James Audubon (see John James Audubon), an American ornithologist, to whom his studies of the habits and habitats of Southern animals were very helpful. Bachman wrote various monographs on squirrels and hares. He also collaborated with Audubon on one of his books. Bachman started the Lutheran Synod in South Carolina and became its first president. He also founded a Lutheran theological seminary for the state. During South Carolina's Ordinance of Secession meeting, Bachman opened the meeting with prayer. Throughout the war, he was a soldier of mercy, devoting all his time to caring for the sick and dying.
Courtesy of the South Caroliniana Library.
