A History of Kentucky Baptists From 1769 to 1885, Including More Than

800 Biographical Sketches, J. H. Spencer, Manuscript Revised and

Corrected by Mrs. Burilla B. Spencer, In Two Volumes. Printed For the

Author. 1886. Republished By Church History Research & Archives 1976

Lafayette, Tennessee. Vol. 2, pp 41-42. [Scott County]

RICHARD M. DUDLEY, D.D., a great grandson of the famous old pioneer

preacher, Ambrose Dudley, was born in Madison county, Ky., September 1,

1838. He entered Georgetown college in 1856 with a view to educating

himself for the bar. In the spring of 1857 he professed religion, and

was baptized by A. W. LaRue, then pastor of the Georgetown church.

During his college course he became impressed that it was his duty to

preach the gospel. As soon as this impression deepened into a

conviction, he abandoned his purpose to study law. He continued his

studies at the college, but now, with a view to the gospel ministry. He

graduated in 1860, and in the spring of 1861 accepted a call to the East

Baptist church in Louisville. He ministered to this church about four

years, when he resigned on account of a diseased throat. In 1865, he

became editor of the Western Recorder, and conducted that journal with

satisfaction to the public about six years. In 1871, he accepted a call

to Davids Fork church, in Fayette County. In 1872, he accepted a

professorship in Georgetown college, still retaining the pastorate of

David's Fork church till 1873. At this date he accepted a call to

Stamping Ground church, in Scott County. In 1877, he resigned his

position in the college, that he might give himself wholly to the work

of the ministry. In 1878, he succeeded Henry McDonald, as pastor of the

church at Georgetown. The following year, he was elected chairman of

the Faculty of Georgetown college, and, on the 9th of June, 1880, was

elected president of that institution. The latter position he has

filled with much satisfaction to the denomination and the general public

to the present time (1865). "If I should make any comment at all upon

my life," said he to the author, "it would be this: I have been honored

by my brethren far beyond my deserts, and with each additional honor, I

have been more and painfully conscious of my unworthiness." The author

takes pleasure in adding that his life long friend, Dr. Dudley, has

filled well every position with which he has been intrusted.

Dudley McDonald

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Fayette Louisville-Jefferson Madison