David M. Jordan ’56

David died Jan. 24, 2026, in Bryn Mawr, Pa.  

Putting words to such a prolific master of words is a challenge. He did it all. He came to Princeton from Penn Charter School in Philadelphia, where he was president of the Literary Society and associate editor of the magazine. He majored in history, joined Cloister Inn, participated in numerous sports, and was associate editor of the Tiger. David earned his law degree at Penn followed by the Army before becoming a partner at Wisler Pearlstine. 

David was committed to every task: to Princeton as our class secretary and president; to Democratic politics as president of the Jenkintown Borough Council, chair of the Montgomery County party, and state committeeman. Perhaps his greatest commitment, however, was to historical scholarship as author of books on historical figures as varied as Winfield Scott Hancock, Robert Lovett, and Pete Rose, while also describing the mixed triumph and defeat that were the Philadelphia Athletics and Phillies. 

David was predeceased by his first wife, Barbara James. He is survived by their daughters Diana (Matthew Born), Laura, and Sarah; grandchildren Augustus Born, and Charlie and Grace Weinstein; and Jean Liddell, whom he married in 2007.