About the book
In 1768, John Witherspoon, Presbyterian leader of the evangelical Popular party faction in the Scottish Kirk, became the College of New Jersey’s sixth president. At Princeton, he mentored constitutional architect James Madison; as a New Jersey delegate to the Continental Congress, he was the only clergyman to sign the Declaration of Independence. Although Witherspoon is often thought to be the chief conduit of moral sense philosophy in America, Mailer’s comprehensive analysis of this founding father’s writings demonstrates the resilience of his evangelical beliefs. Witherspoon’s Presbyterian evangelicalism competed with, combined with, and even superseded the civic influence of Scottish Enlightenment thought in the British Atlantic world.
John Witherspoon’s American Revolution examines the connection between patriot discourse and long-standing debates — already central to the 1707 Act of Union — about the relationship among piety, moral philosophy, and political unionism. In Witherspoon’s mind, Americans became different from other British subjects because more of them had been awakened to the sin they shared with all people. Paradoxically, acute consciousness of their moral depravity legitimized their move to independence by making it a concerted moral action urged by the Holy Spirit. Mailer’s exploration of Witherspoon’s thought and influence suggests that, for the founders in his circle, civic virtue rested on personal religious awakening.
Editions of John Witherspoon's American Revolution
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9781469628189
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781469652207
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469628202
- EBook
- ISBN 9798890849137
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469628196
- PDF
- ISBN 9798890849120
Read an Excerpt
In 1768, John Witherspoon, Presbyterian leader of the evangelical Popular party faction in the Scottish Kirk, became the College of New Jersey’s sixth president. At Princeton, he mentored constitutional architect James Madison; as a New Jersey delegate to the Continental Congress, he was the only clergyman to sign the Declaration of Independence. Although Witherspoon is often thought to be the chief conduit of moral sense philosophy in America, Mailer’s comprehensive analysis of this founding father’s writings demonstrates the resilience of his evangelical beliefs. Witherspoon’s Presbyterian evangelicalism competed with, combined with, and even superseded the civic influence of Scottish Enlightenment thought in the British Atlantic world.
John Witherspoon’s American Revolution examines the connection between patriot discourse and long-standing debates — already central to the 1707 Act of Union — about the relationship among piety, moral philosophy, and political unionism. In Witherspoon’s mind, Americans became different from other British subjects because more of them had been awakened to the sin they shared with all people. Paradoxically, acute consciousness of their moral depravity legitimized their move to independence by making it a concerted moral action urged by the Holy Spirit. Mailer’s exploration of Witherspoon’s thought and influence suggests that, for the founders in his circle, civic virtue rested on personal religious awakening.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is John Witherspoon's American Revolution about?
In 1768, John Witherspoon, Presbyterian leader of the evangelical Popular party faction in the Scottish Kirk, became the College of New Jersey’s sixth president. At Princeton, he mentored constitutional architect James Madison; as a New Jersey delegate to the Continental Congress, he was the only clergyman to sign the Declaration of Independence. Although Witherspoon is often thought to be the chief conduit of moral sense philosophy in America, Mailer’s comprehensive analysis of this founding father’s writings demonstrates the resilience of his evangelical beliefs. Witherspoon’s Presbyterian evangelicalism competed with, combined with, and even superseded the civic influence of Scottish Enlightenment thought in the British Atlantic world.
John Witherspoon’s American Revolution examines the connection between patriot discourse and long-standing debates — already central to the 1707 Act of Union — about the relationship among piety, moral philosophy, and political unionism. In Witherspoon’s mind, Americans became different from other British subjects because more of them had been awakened to the sin they shared with all people. Paradoxically, acute consciousness of their moral depravity legitimized their move to independence by making it a concerted moral action urged by the Holy Spirit. Mailer’s exploration of Witherspoon’s thought and influence suggests that, for the founders in his circle, civic virtue rested on personal religious awakening.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in John Witherspoon's American Revolution?
History and Archaeology > History > History of the Americas
Where can I read a sample of John Witherspoon's American Revolution?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781469628189
How long is John Witherspoon's American Revolution and how many pages does it have?
John Witherspoon's American Revolution has 440 page(s)
Is John Witherspoon's American Revolution part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series Published by the Omohundro Institute of Early American History and Culture and the University of North Carolina Press
Who is/are the Author/s of the book John Witherspoon's American Revolution?
Gideon Mailer
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
John Witherspoon's American Revolution is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781469628189) and paperback(ISBN 9781469652207) and ebook(ISBN 9781469628202) and ebook(ISBN 9798890849137) and ebook(ISBN 9781469628196) and pdf(ISBN 9798890849120)
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You can buy John Witherspoon's American Revolution from below
Where can I buy John Witherspoon's American Revolution?