The Selected Writings of John Witherspoon

Considered the first significant teacher of rhetoric in America, John Witherspoon also introduced Scottish moral philosophy in America, and as president of Princeton reformed the curriculum to give emphasis to both studies. He was an active pamphleteer on religious and political issues and a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

Thomas P Miller argues that Witherspoon’s career exemplifies the Ciceronian ideal, and the eight selections Miller presents from the 1802 American edition of the Works corroborate that claim.

Considered the first significant teacher of rhetoric in America, John Witherspoon also introduced Scottish moral philosophy in America, and as president of Princeton reformed the curriculum to give emphasis to both studies. He was an active pamphleteer on religious and political issues and a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

Thomas P Miller argues that Witherspoon’s career exemplifies the Ciceronian ideal, and the eight selections Miller presents from the 1802 American edition of the Works corroborate that claim.

Booknews

Considered the first significant teacher of rhetoric in America, John Witherspoon also introduced Scottish moral philosophy in the US, and as president of Princeton reformed the curriculum to give emphasis to both studies. An active pamphleteer on religious and political issues, he was also a signer of the Declaration of Independence. These seven selections, from the 1802 American edition of the Works, demonstrate the strong traditional relationship between rhetoric and the ethical and political concern of moral philosophy. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Thomas P. Miller is Professor of English at the University of Arizona.