Dictionary.net

(1722-1794), came to America from Scotland in 1768 to accept the presidency of Princeton College, N. J. He was a prominent patriot at the beginning of the Revolution, and did much to influence the Scotch and Scotch-Irish to defend the patriot cause. He was a member of the Continental Congress from 1776 to 1779 and from 1780 to 1783. He signed and strongly advocated the Declaration of Independence, and signed the Articles of Confederation. He wrote "Considerations on the Nature and Extent of the Legislative Authority of the British Parliament."