Stephen Watts (134)
Election date: 1768 (Elected to the revived American Philosophical Society and the American Society in 1768.)Stephen Watts (5 February 1741–1788) was a merchant, educator, and lawyer, and a member of the American Philosophical Society and the American Society, elected to both in 1768. Born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Watts excelled at classical languages during his education. He delivered the Latin salutatory at his College of Philadelphia commencement ceremony in 1762 before accepting a position at the Latin School. After a year of teaching, he left to begin a mercantile firm with APS member Robert Strettel Jones. Ever a scholar, Watts earned a master of arts degree in 1765 and in 1769 was admitted to the Pennsylvania bar. As political strife intensified in Philadelphia, Watts moved his family to Pensacola in 1774 where he began a successful legal practice. He later relocated again to Louisiana where he was appointed the King’s Attorney for Baton Rouge, Recorder of Deeds, and Master in Chancery for the English settlements on the Mississippi before dying in 1788. (PI)
One edition.
Two editions, both in 1766: one in Philadelphia, one in London. Morgan's essay was awarded first prize.