Princeton John Witherspoon

the president s house in princeton, new jersey. completed in 1756, john witherspoon lived here 1768 1779; u.s. national historic landmark.

at urging of benjamin rush , richard stockton, whom met in paisley, witherspoon accepted renewed invitation (having turned 1 down in 1766) become president , head professor of small presbyterian college of new jersey in princeton. thus, witherspoon , family emigrated new jersey in 1768.

at age of 45, became sixth president of college, later known princeton university. upon arrival, witherspoon found school in debt, weak instruction, , library collection failed meet student needs. began fund-raising—locally , home in scotland—added 3 hundred of own books library, , began purchasing scientific equipment (including rittenhouse orrery, many maps , terrestrial globe).

witherspoon instituted number of reforms, including modeling syllabus , university structure after used @ university of edinburgh , other scottish universities. firmed entrance requirements, helped school compete harvard , yale scholars.

witherspoon taught courses in eloquence or belles lettres, chronology (history), , divinity. however, none more important moral philosophy (a required course). advocate of natural law within christian , republican cosmology, witherspoon considered moral philosophy vital ministers, lawyers, , holding positions in government (magistrates). firm good-humored in leadership, witherspoon popular among both faculty , students.

witherspoon had been prominent evangelical presbyterian minister in scotland before accepting princeton position. college s primary occupation @ time training ministers, witherspoon became major leader of presbyterian church in america. helped organize nassau presbyterian church in princeton, n.j.

nonetheless, witherspoon transformed college designed predominantly train clergymen school equip leaders of new protestant country. students later played prominent roles in new nation s development included james madison, aaron burr, philip freneau, william bradford, , hugh henry brackenridge. among students came 37 judges (three of whom became justices of u.s. supreme court); 10 cabinet officers; 12 members of continental congress, 28 u.s. senators, , 49 united states congressmen.

in 1774, witherspoon wrote of encounter unexplained atmospheric phenomenon. witherspoon , few aides walking along lake carnegie, when orb of fire descended , made way on group. witherspoon wrote in journal visit angel, informed him he, too, divine emissary.