Horace Holley (February 13, 1781 – July 31, 1827) was an American Unitarian minister and president of Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky.

"[3][4] Holley determined to pursue the profession of law, studying in the office of Riggs & Radcliffe of New York, but abandoned this ambition after only a few short months.

[5] During his short tenure at Greenfield Hill, Holley's religious views became more liberal, in part due to the influence of his wife, Mary.

[1] This shift in his religious views, as well as a desire for a more favorable financial situation, led him to resign his post at Greenfield Hill.

[3] He considered posts in Marblehead, Massachusetts; Middletown, Connecticut; and Albany, New York, but ultimately declined them all and moved to Boston in 1808.

[6] Previously a Trinitarian, by the time Holley accepted the call to become pastor of Hollis Street Church in Boston, he had already become a Unitarian.

[1] The Washington Benevolent Society was affiliated with the Federalist Party, which Holley supported despite his respect for Thomas Jefferson.

[10] The new board members, mostly men of political influence, believed Horace Holley's liberal religious views would foster academic progress and help realize their dreams of making Lexington the "Athens of the West.

[11] Holley was intrigued by the second offer, and on an 1818 visit to Lexington, was given a tour of the city by native son Henry Clay.

[11] He returned to Boston for his wife, daughter, and newborn son, Horace Austin Holley, and in September 1818, the family relocated to Lexington.

[1][3] He further lost the support of Governor Joseph Desha, who disliked the university for what he perceived as its elitist character and for its association with Henry Clay.

[10] Following his resignation, Holley moved to New Orleans, where he hoped to take a group of young men on a tour of Europe as part of a "traveling academy.