Richard Fuller was born in Beaufort, S. C. on April 22, 1804. In 1820, he entered Harvard University, but left his junior year due to health issues. He then studied law in Beaufort, was admitted to the bar and soon rose to eminence in his profession. During a period of great religious interest in Beaufort, he felt it his duty to abandon the law and devote himself to the Christian ministry. At the same time, he was constrained to leave the Protestant Episcopal Church in which he had been brought up. He was at once ordained, and called to the pastorate of the Baptist church at Beaufort. His reputation as a preacher soon became national and his services were widely sought in promoting religious revivals. During his residence in Beaufort he was engaged in two memorable controversies — one with Bishop England of Charleston, on the claims of the Roman Catholic Church, and the other with President Wayland, of Brown University on the subject of slavery. In 1836, he traveled in Europe for the benefit of his health and in 1846, became pastor of a Baptist church in Baltimore, Md., where he spent the remainder of his life. Fuller died in Baltimore, Md., 20 Oct. 1876.

Fuller was president of the Southern Baptist convention more than once. In addition to pamphlets and various sermons published separately, he was the author of volumes of ‘Sermons’ and ‘Letters’; ‘Argument on Baptist and Close Communion’ (1849); ‘Psalmist.’

Source: The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)