Owen Biddle (49)

Owen Biddle (4 January 1737–10 March 1799) was a clockmaker, druggist, and merchant, and a member of the Young Junto (elected c. 1766 shortly before it was renamed the American Society). Born in Philadelphia, Biddle was active for many years in the American Society, serving on the committees that designed its seal and negotiated its union with the American Society in 1769. He acted as a curator and conducted scientific experiments; most notably, he carefully observed the 1769 Transit of Venus, publishing his findings in the first volume of the APS Transactions. Biddle was also a manager of the Silk Society and a member of the Union Library Company. His involvement in the fight for American independence began with signing the Non-Importation Agreement of 1765 and continued with his election to Philadelphia’s Revolutionary Committee in 1774. He served as a delegate to draft Pennsylvania’s state constitution in 1776 and served on the State Board of War in 1777. Biddle also worked for the Continental Congress, first by managing its lottery and later by acting as deputy commissary of forage for the army. Once the APS resumed its meetings, he held offices, helped plan the legislative charter in 1780, and gave the annual oration in 1781. When bankruptcy redirected his energies back to the Society of Friends, he spent his remaining years devoted to Quaker education. Biddle’s final endeavor, the creation of the Westtown School, was made possible with funding from APS Member John Dickinson. His brother Clement Biddle was a member of the Young Junto; and his nephews Thomas Biddle, John G. Biddle, and Clement C. Biddle; and brother-in-law James Wilkinson were APS members. (PI)