Thomas Starr King, an American clergyman, born in New York, Dec. 16, 1824, died in San Francisco, March 4, 1864. He was preparing to enter Harvard college when the sudden death of his father left the family in a measure dependent upon him, and from the age of 12 to 20 he was employed either as a clerk or schoolmaster, devoting his leisure hours to theological studies. In September, 1845, he preached for the first time in the town of Woburn, and in 1846 he was settled over his father's former parish in Charlestown, whence he was called in 1848 to the Unitarian church in Hollis street, Boston, with which he remained connected until the early part of 1860. In April of the latter year he sailed for San Francisco, to take charge of the Unitarian congregation in that city. Apart from his labors in the pulpit, he acquired an extended reputation as a lecturer, and for 15 years addressed large audiences every winter in nearly all the northern states. When California seemed in danger of seceding, he travelled over the state, speaking enthusiastically in favor of the Union; and her loyalty is largely attributed to his eloquence. He also labored earnestly and effectively in behalf of the sanitary commission.

He published "The White Hills, their Legends, Landscape, and Poetry" (4to, illustrated, 1859), and a number of articles in reviews, pamphlets, and sermons. A volume of his writings, entitled " Patriotism and other Papers," was published in 1864, and Richard Frothingham wrote "A Tribute to Thomas Starr King " (Boston, 1864).