John Witherspoon

John Knox Witherspoon (February 5, 1723 – November 15, 1794) was a Scottish-American Presbyterian minister and a Founding Father of the United States. Witherspoon embraced the concepts of Scottish Common Sense Realism, and while president of the College of New Jersey (1768–94; now Princeton University), became an influential figure in the development of the United States' national character. Politically active, Witherspoon was a delegate from New Jersey to the Second Continental Congress and a signatory to the July 4, 1776, Declaration of Independence. He was the only active clergyman and the only college president to sign the Declaration. Later, he signed the Articles of Confederation and supported ratification of the Constitution. In 1789 he was Convening Moderator of the First General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America.

Early life and ministry in Scotland

John Knox Witherspoon was born at Gifford, a parish of Yester, at East Lothian, Scotland, as the eldest child of the Reverend James Alexander Witherspoon and Anne Walker, a descendant of John Welsh of Ayr and John Knox. This latter claim of Knox descent though ancient in origin is long disputed and without primary documentation. He attended the Haddington Grammar School, and obtained a Master of Arts from the University of Edinburgh in 1739. He remained at the University to study divinity. In 1764, he was awarded an honorary doctorate degree in divinity by the University of St. Andrews.

John Witherspoon (actor)

John Witherspoon (born January 27, 1942) is an American comedian and actor who has had roles in several films and television shows.

Witherspoon is best known for his role as Willie Jones for the Friday series, he has starred in films such as Hollywood Shuffle (1987) and Boomerang (1992). He has also made appearances on television shows such as The Wayans Bros. (1995–99), The Tracy Morgan Show (2003), Barnaby Jones (1973), The Boondocks (2005), The Five Heartbeats and Black Jesus (2014). He has also written the film From the Old School where he takes the role as an elderly working man who tries to prevent a neighborhood convenience store from being developed into a strip club.

Background

Podcasts:

Famous quotes by John Witherspoon:

"If anything, more people should know about it and appreciate it."
"Our goal is to give people incentives to save for college."
"Never read a book through merely because you have begun it."
"Never rise to speak till you have something to say; and when you have said it, cease"
"Those who wish well to the State ought to choose to places of trust men of inward principle, justified by exemplary conversation."
"terrorism and anthrax and monkey pox and a pox on everybody's houses. So no thank you."
"I think it's 160,"
"If I couldn't stand Skylab, ... I definitely couldn't stand the sight of people jumping out of windows and then letters with anthrax postmarked from Trenton."
"The people in general ought to have regard to the moral character of those whom they invest with authority either in the legislative, executive, or judicial branches."
"Never rise to speak till you have something to say; and when you have said it, cease."
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Latest News for: john witherspoon

Proposed Seahawks signing adds former $65 million 5-time Pro Bowl cornerback

Sportingnews 19 Mar 2025
Outside of Riq Woolen, the team doesn't have a starting-caliber boundary cornerback on the roster, as Devon Witherspoon mainly handles slot duties. General manager John Schneider could wait till ...

Celebrity birthdays for the week of March 16-22

Wtop 10 Mar 2025
Celebrity birthdays for the week of March 16-22. ... Singer-songwriter John Sebastian of the Lovin’ Spoonful is 81 ... Actor John Boyega (“Star Wars ... Composer John Kander (“Chicago”) is 98 ... Actor Reese Witherspoon is 49. Drummer John Otto of Limp Bizkit is 48.

Mike Epps Confirms ‘Last Friday’ Is Actually Happening

Vibe Magazine 04 Mar 2025
4) ... Last January, Katt Williams expressed that there was an “urgency” to get the film made following the death of John Witherspoon in 2019 ... But we miss John Witherspoon in a way that can’t really be quantified,” he explained.
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