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Penn in the 18th Century

John Ewing (1732-1802)

• A.M. (hon.) 1759
• Professor of Ethics 1758-1762
• Professor of Natural Philosophy 1762-1778
• Trustee 1779-1802
• Provost 1780-1802

Presbyterian minister

Scientist and mathematician

 

John Ewing was born in northern Maryland, the son of Alexander Ewing. He was educated first at Francis Alison's school and then at the College of New Jersey (Princeton), graduating with the class of 1754. He then acted as a tutor, first in Dr. Alison's school and then at the College of New Jersey (now Princeton).

His affiliation with Penn began in 1758 when he accepted a position as Professor of Ethics at the College of Philadelphia, shortly before his marriage to Hannah Sergeant. For the next forty-four years, as the College evolved into the University of the State of Pennsylvania and then finally into the University of Pennsylvania, Ewing would serve as professor, trustee and provost.

As a clergyman, Rev. Ewing served as a pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia from 1759 until his death in 1802. It was as senior member of the Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia that Ewing served, from 1779 to 1780, as an ex officio trustee of the University of the State of Pennsylvania (now the University of Pennsylvania).

A scientist and mathematician as well as a theologian, Ewing became a member of the American Philosophical Society in 1768 and was awarded the degree of Doctor of Laws by the University of Edinburgh. He also assisted with the running of the boundary line of the state of Delaware and, with David Rittenhouse, laid out the Philadelphia and Lancaster turnpike.

REFERENCES
Lost Alumni, Matriculates, Alumni Record, University of Pennsylvania 1740-1900, Dictionary of American Biography

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