Introduction
James Winthrop (1752, Cambridge, Massachusetts - 26 September 1821, Cambridge) was an American librarian and jurist.
Biography
James Winthrop was the son of physicist John Winthrop. He graduated from Harvard in 1769, and was wounded at the Battle of Bunker Hill. He was librarian of Harvard from 1772 until 1787. For several years, he was a judge of the court of common pleas, and for a long time register of probate. He was part of the anti-federalist movement. He bequeathed his library to Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania. He was a charter member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1780.
Works
- Attempt to translate the Prophetic Part of the Apocalypse of St. John into Familiar Language (Boston, 1794)
- Systematic Arrangement of Several Scripture Prophecies relating to Antichrist (1795)
- Attempt to arrange, in the Order of Time, Scripture Prophecies yet to be Fulfilled (Cambridge, 1803)
He also made scientific and literary contributions to current literature. He was the speculated author of the Letters of Agrippa (November 1787-January 1788), which appeared in the Massachusetts Gazette.