Robert Davidson (408)

Robert Davidson (1750–13 December 1812) was an educator, ordained minister, and a member of the American Philosophical Society, elected in 1783. Born in Elkton, Maryland, in 1768 Davidson entered the College of Philadelphia, graduating as valedictorian four years later. In 1773 he became an instructor at the College, and then became chair of history and belle-lettres (1774), received license to preach (1774), and studied towards his ordination by the Second Presbytery (1775). When the British occupied Philadelphia, Davidson’s status as a vocal opponent of British tyranny made him a target, and so he retired to Delaware. During the Revolutionary War, Davidson became extremely vocal about his support for independence, and he did not allow the conflict to stagnate his career: he became Professor of Greek and Latin languages at the University (1780), received an honorary masters degree (1780), became professor of history (1782), and earned an honorary doctor of divinity degree (1784). Thereafter he became Vice President and Professor of history, geology, chronology, rhetoric, and belles-lettres at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He worked as a pastor in Carlisle as well until serving as Moderator of the General Assembly held there in 1796. After those duties ceased, he returned to Dickinson College as President and Professor of moral philosophy (1804), but he later resigned to focus on his ministerial duties (1809). He died three years later in Carlisle.