Davidson Robert
Davidson Robert [1]
an eminent Presbyterian divine and scholar, was born at Elkton, Md., 1750, and graduated at the University of Pennsylvania 1771. In 1773 he was ordained by the Second Presbytery of Philadelphia, and became associate pastor of the First Church and professor of history in the University. During the Revolution he was a zealous Whig, and when the British occupied Philadelphia he retired to Delaware. In 1784 he was appointed vice-president and professor of belles-lettres in Dickinson College, and was also called to be pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Carlisle. On leaving Philadelphia, he was made D.D. by the University. The double duties devolving on him at Carlisle were discharged with signal ability, industry, and success. His learning embraced a wide range, including eight languages, theology, and physics. He was especially devoted to astronomy, and invented an ingenious apparatus called a Cosmosphere, presenting the earth and firmament to view on the same axis. He was also a man of elegant tastes, skilled in music and drawing. In 1785 he was appointed by the Old Synod of New York and Philadelphia, along with Drs. Alison and Ewing, on a committee to prepare an improved version of the Psalms to take the place of Rouse. In 1796 he was chosen moderator of the General Assembly, and in 1804 he succeeded Dr. Nisbet in the presidency of the college, which he resigned in 1809, in order to devote himself exclusively to his pastoral duties. He died at Carlisle Dec. 13, 1812. His publications are, A Dialogue, with two Odes set to Music, 1775; An Epitome of Geography, 1784; A Dialogue, in blank verse; Papers on Astronomy; Funeral Eulogium on Washington, 1799; The Christian's A, B, C, 1811; New metrical Version of the Psalms, 1812; Occasional Sermons. — See Sprague, Annals, 3, 322.
