Alexander Campbell (12 September 1788 – 4 March 1866) was a Scots-Irish immigrant who became an ordained minister in the United States and joined his father
Thomas Campbell as a leader of a reform effort that is historically known as the
Restoration Movement, and by some as the "Stone-Campbell Movement." It resulted in the development of non-denominational Christian churches, which stressed reliance on Scripture and few essentials. Campbell was influenced by similar efforts in Scotland, in particular, by James and
Robert Haldane, who emphasized a return to original Christianity as found in the New Testament. In 1832, the group of reformers led by the Campbells merged with a similar movement that began under the leadership of
Barton W. Stone in Kentucky. Their congregations identified as Disciples of Christ or Christian churches. Several American church groups have historical roots in the Campbells' efforts, including the
Churches of Christ, the
Christian churches and churches of Christ,
Evangelical Christian Church in Canada, and the
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Alexander Campbell founded
Bethany College in
Bethany, West Virginia.