Edward Biddle (251)

Edward Biddle (1738–2 September 1779) was a soldier, lawyer, and a member of the American Philosophical Society via his 1768 election to the American Society. Born into a family which in the coming years transcended their roots, Edward’s most substantial formation occurred on the Pennsylvania frontier during the Seven Years’ War (1754–63). A 1755 attack by French native-allies on Reading spurred Biddle into the provincial forces—but one of the most substantive lessons came from his interactions with native allies of the British, who proved principled, honest, and respectable. After the war he began to read law, and by 1767 became a delegate to the Provincial Assembly—and was popular enough to gain reelection despite his asking not to serve starting in 1772, up until the Revolution. He became Speaker of the House in 1774. As the crisis came, Biddle’s neighbors sent him to the Continental Congresses of 1774 and 1775; among other offices, he was a delegate to the Provincial Commission in 1775. The fates turned against Biddle that same January: journeying down the Schuylkill River, Biddle plunged overboard into the icy waters. Overwarmed by too much recuperative wine at an inn, Biddle proceeded to beat the landlord for some remarks of disaffection; a combination of pneumonia and sepsis ultimately took one of Biddle’s eyes and most of his life’s vigor. Although continually reelected to Congress, his health prevented much of his participation in the crucial political debates of the day. A markedly devout Anglican, Biddle was laid to rest at St. Paul’s in Baltimore, where he died. (PI)