Witherspoon’s Transformative Impact on the College

In assessing John Witherspoon’s “life and legacy,” the CPUC Committee on Naming notes that the plaques on his statue’s plinth describe him as “preacher, patriot, and president.” It provides some detail on the significance of his theological writings, teachings, and sermons, and the manifestations of his patriotism as a signer of the Declaration of Independence, a member of the Continental Congress, and an educator of key political leaders. It also, very importantly, provides findings about his relationship to slavery, a relationship which is conspicuously absent from the plinth.

What it does not describe is the legacy behind the third plaque: Witherspoon’s transformative impact on the College of New Jersey as its president from 1768 to 1794 – the second longest tenure of any Princeton president, and longer than the combined tenures of his five predecessors.

When Witherspoon arrived, the college’s finances and its enrollments were precarious at best, and its survival was far from assured. Witherspoon traveled tirelessly throughout the colonies to bolster the college’s finances and its enrollment; appointed faculty in math and science; expanded the library; purchased scientific equipment; changed the composition of the student body by reducing the number of future ministers in favor of future public servants; encouraged students to go beyond rote learning and engage in debate; introduced teaching by lecture; and taught a wide range of subjects.

Witherspoon’s presidency gave the college eminence and instilled a commitment to learning and service that Princeton’s next transformative president, James McCosh, would build on 100 years later in turning the college into a university.

The Naming Committee makes well-considered recommendations regarding the siting of the Witherspoon statue in front of East Pyne Hall. A good case can be made for removing the statue from its plinth, or even finding it another home. But it may be helpful to note that one small contributing factor in choosing the statue’s current location across from McCosh Hall is that it placed these two transformative presidents in proximity to each other.

Editor’s note: The writer is the University’s vice president and secretary, emeritus.