Biography of John Witherspoon
Born in Gifford, Haddingtonshire, Scotland, February 5,
1722
Completed preparatory studies
Graduated from Edinburgh University in 1739; studied
theology at Edinburgh
Licensed in 1743 and ordained minister of the parish of
Beith in 1745
Author of various pamphlets dealing with controversial
religious subjects
Installed pastor at Paisley June 16, 1757
Moderator of the synod of Glasgow and Ayr in 1758
Declined calls to Rotterdam in 1759, Dundee in 1762, and
Dublin in 1766
Also declined the presidency of the College of New Jersey
(now Princeton University) in 1766, but accected the
second invitation of that institution, and was
inaugurated as president August 17, 1768
Became a leader of Presbyterians in America
Member of the committee on correspondence from Somerset
County July 28, 1775
Member of the Provincial Congress of New Jersey from June
10 to June 22, 1776
Member of the Continental Congress from June 22, 1776, to
December 1, 1779, from December 1, 1780, to December 1,
1781, and from May 20 to November 5, 1782
Signer of the Declaration of Independence
Member of the secret committee of the Congress on the
conduct of the war and member of the board of war in 1778
Member of the State council in 1780
Drafted the instructions of June 1781 to the American
peace commissioners
Served in the State general assembly in 1783 and 1789
Member of the State convention to ratify the Federal
Constitution in 1787
After the war returned to Princeton, where he continued
his duties as president, although retiring later to his
farm, "Tusculum", near Princeton, N.J.
Continued his interest in public affairs
Throughout his life was a prolific writer, and after his
death his works were collected and published
Became blind in 1792
Died on his farm near Princeton, N.J., November 15, 1794
Interment in the presidents' lot in the Princeton
Cemetary, Princeton, N.J.