Charles Petit McIlvaine was an important minister, educator, and writer. He was born in New Jersey in 1799, the son of Joseph McIlvaine, a U.S. senator. Charles received most of his education in eastern schools, graduating from Princeton University. He was ordained an Episcopal priest in 1823, and served in many church related posts in the east, including an appointment as chaplain and professor of ethics at West Point. While in Washington, he also served as chaplain of the U. S. Senate.
In 1832 McIlvaine was appointed Bishop of Ohio and moved to Gambier, Ohio. From 1833 to 1845 McIlvaine served as president of Kenyon College. He died in 1873 in Italy. His funeral was held in Westminster Abbey, and he was buried in Ohio.