George Washington Baines (1809–1882) was a multifaceted American figure who was active as a Baptist preacher, educator, politician, and journalist during the nineteenth century. He is best remembered for his leadership in higher education and his prominent role in the early history of Texas, particularly during the tumultuous years of the American Civil War.
Baines was a co-founder of Baylor University during its early period in Independence, Texas. He served the institution in multiple capacities, working as a professor of natural science before becoming its third president during the Civil War. Beyond his academic contributions, Baines was deeply involved in the religious and political life of the region, serving as a pastor and minister. Notably, he was the personal minister to the prominent Texas statesman Sam Houston while living in Huntsville, Texas.
Baines's personal and family history connects him to significant chapters of American history. He was a slaveowner, and historical records note that he purchased a fourteen-year-old enslaved boy named Charles from Sam Houston in 1862. Decades after his death, Baines's family legacy reached the highest level of American politics, as he was the maternal great-grandfather of Lyndon B. Johnson, the 36th President of the United States.
