John Watson | |
|---|---|
| First President of Jefferson College | |
| In office August 29, 1802 – November 30, 1802 | |
| Succeeded by | James Dunlap |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1771 |
| Died | November 30, 1802 Washington County, Pennsylvania |
| Spouse | Margaret |
| Alma mater | Canonsburg Academy College of New Jersey |
John Watson was the first principal and president of and professor of moral philosophy at Jefferson College.
Watson, a native of Western Pennsylvania, was born in 1771 and was a student at Canonsburg Academy (later Jefferson College, now Washington & Jefferson College).[1] He was a student of the school's founder, John McMillan, who was arranged for him to attend the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University), from where he graduated in 1797.[2] Watson married McMillan's second daughter, Margaret.[2] In his time, Watson was known as an accomplished Latin and Greek scholar.[1] He was one of the founders of the Philo Literary Society at Jefferson College.[3]
A frail and intense man, in sharp contrast with his mentor and father-in-law McMillan, Watson was elected to the Presidency of Jefferson College (now Washington & Jefferson College) on August 29, 1802. Watson died on November 30, 1802, only three months after his ascension to the presidency and 2 days after the first Jefferson College diplomas were awarded.[2] McMillan carried out his duties until the election of James Dunlap as the second president of Jefferson College.[2]
