James Davidson (204)

Elected to the revived American Philosophical Society.

James Davidson (1732–28 June 1809) was an educator and clergymen, and a member of the American Philosophical Society, elected in 1768. Davidson was born in Ireland, educated at Glasgow University, and ordained a Presbyterian minister all before coming over to the colonies in 1763 or 1764. Soon after arriving, Davidson began ministering at two different churches and serving as the master of the academy in Newark, Delaware. Not long after he was invited to lead the Latin School at the Academy of Philadelphia, a position he accepted and began in 1768. With the arrival of the American Revolution, Davidson did not stay behind his books. When Congress called for salt production in 1778, Davidson stepped in as a superintendent of one such failing salt factory. Less than a year later, he moved with his family to Charleston to oversee another school before returning to Philadelphia at the regathered University of Pennsylvania as a rector in 1780. Shortly thereafter he was reelected as professor Greek and Latin classics in 1782. Always interested in learning, he was one of the Society’s most active members--he served on committees, contributed to the silk society, and assumed the role of secretary in 1783. In addition, he was active with the Humane Society and donated to the Pennsylvania Hospital. He retired from teaching and lived out his remaining days at his home on Chestnut street. (PI)