John Edwards Caldwell
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John Edwards Caldwell | |
|---|---|
 Portrait of Caldwell by Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin, c. 1799. | |
| Consular Agent for the West Indies and San Domingo | |
| In office 1801–1803 | |
| President | Thomas Jefferson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 2, 1769 Elizabeth, New Jersey, British America |
| Died | March 9, 1819 (aged 50) Manhattan, New York, United States |
| Spouse |
Hannah Wyck (m. 1805) |
| Children | 1 |
| Relatives | James Caldwell (father) |
| Known for | A Tour through Part of Virginia |
John Edwards Caldwell (February 2, 1769—March 9, 1819) was an American author, philanthropist, and politician who co-founded the American Bible Society and the Christian Herald.
Marriage
Caldwell was born in 1769, the son of James Caldwell and Hannah Ogden.[1] His father was a Presbyterian minister who played a prominent part in the American Revolution and was known as the "Fighting Parson".[2][3] Caldwell's family home was burned by Loyalists in 1780.[2]
After his father's murder in 1781, Caldwell was placed under the care of his legal guardian Elias Boudinot, who sent him to live in the home of Rev. Alexander MacWhorter.[4][failed verification] Caldwell was later adopted by Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, who took him with his family upon his return to France in 1782.[5] Caldwell was educated in a French boarding school during that period. In 1785, Caldwell and the family of Lafayette dined with John Adams.[4][6] In 1791, Caldwell returned to America and settled in Philadelphia, where his guardian Boudinot was living.[4][failed verification]
In 1801, Caldwell married Hanna Wyck, and they had one daughter.[7]
Career
In June 1801, Caldwell received a recess appointment by President Thomas Jefferson as Consular Agent for the West Indies and San Domingo.[8][9] His appointment was confirmed by the United States Senate in January 1802.[10][11] In 1802, he wrote to then-Secretary of State James Madison and provided an account of American vessels in port.[12][13] Caldwell later moved to New York City.[7]
Caldwell was an early founder of the American Bible Society.[4] In 1816, he made a founding donation to the society of $10,000. Caldwell was also the founder of the Christian Herald, and he served as editor and publisher of the first five volumes.[7]
In 1809, Caldwell published his first book, A Tour through Part of Virginia, In the Summer of 1808.[14]
