Princeton University (1746) was originally called "The College of New Jersey." It was founded in Princeton, New Jersey, by the Presbyterian Church. Many influential individuals served as it president, including: Jonathan Dickinson, Aaron Burr Sr., Jonathan Edwards, Samuel Davies, Samuel Finley and Woodrow Wilson, who was the first president not a clergyman. Its president just prior to the Revolutionary War was John Witherspoon, the only clergyman to sign the Declaration of Independence, 1776.
Princeton University, under President John Witherspoon, 1768-94, graduated 478 students who directly shaped America, including: James Madison, who served eight years as Secretary of State and eight years as U.S. President; Aaron Burr, Jr., who was a U.S. Vice-President; 3 U.S. Supreme Court justices; 10 Cabinet members; 13 state governors; 21 U.S. Senators; 39
U.S. Representatives; and 114 ministers. Nine of the 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention were graduates, including: Gunning Bedford Jr., Del.; David Brearley, N.J.; William Richardson Davie N.C.; Jonathan Dayton, N.J.; William Churchill Houston, N.J.; James Madison, Va.; Alexander Martin, N.C.; Luther Martin, Md.; and William Paterson, N.J.
Princeton University's official motto was:
<Under God's Power She Flourishes.> 1746PU001
The first president of Princeton University, the Rev. Jonathan Dickinson, stated:
<Cursed be all that learning that is contrary to the cross of Christ.> 1746PU002
The requirements of Princeton University, during President John Witherspoon tenure, 1768-76, included:
<Every student shall attend worship in the college hall morning and evening at the hours appointed and shall behave with gravity and reverence during the whole service. Every student shall attend public worship on the Sabbaths....Besides the public exercises of religious worship on the Sabbaths, there shall be assigned to each class certain exercises for their pupils....and no student belonging to any class shall neglect them.> 1746PU003
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American Quotations by William J. Federer, 2024, All Rights Reserved, Permission granted to use with acknowledgement.
Endnotes:
1746PU001. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Princeton University. 1746. "(Thomas) Woodrow Wilson, 28th President of the United States, 1913-1921," The World Book Encyclopedia (Chicago, IL: Field Enterprises, Inc., 1957; W.F. Quarrie and Company, 8 vols., 1917; World Book, Inc., 22 vols., 1989), 22 vols.), Vol. 18, p. 8788. John Witherspoon, 1768-1794. Martha Lou Lemmon Stohlman, John Witherspoon: Parson, Politician, Patriot (Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1897), p. 172. John Eidsmoe, Christianity and the Constitution-The Faith of Our Founding Fathers (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, A Mott Media Book, 1987, 6th printing 1993), p. 83, 87. Varnum Lansing Collins, President Witherspoon (New York: Arno Press and The New York Times, 1969), II:229. M.E. Bradford, A Worthy Company (Marlborough, New Hampshire: Plymouth Rock Foundation, 1982). Stephen K. McDowell and Mark A. Beliles, America's Providential History (Charlottesville, VA: Providence Press, 1988), p. 93, 100.
1746PU002. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Princeton University. 1746. Stephen K. McDowell and Mark A. Beliles, America's Providential History (Charlottesville, VA: Providence Press, 1988), p. 93.
1746PU003. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Princeton University. 1768-1776, student requirements during the president Rev. John Witherspoon's tenure. The Laws of the College of New-Jersey (Trenton: Isaac Collins, 1794), pp. 28-29.