Archibald Alexander Biography

Archibald Alexander was an American Presbyterian theologian and professor, who was the founder and first principal of Princeton Theological Seminary, where he served for 27 years, from 1812 to 1840. As a professor of theology, he is considered to be the first of the great “Princeton theologians.” The powers and influence of the Princeton could be felt throughout the US while Alexander was serving as the principal. The purpose of his life was to encourage the work of Christian ministry and to prepare for advising the masses about the scriptures. Prior to his stint at the Princeton, he had also served as the president of Hampden Sydney College, Virginia for nine years, and as the pastor of the Pine Street Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. But, it was at Princeton that he found his life’s calling. Chosen as the leading professor, he directed his whole-hearted attention towards the promotion of the work of the department of pastoral and polemic theology. A prolific writer, he contributed a number of articles to the ‘Princeton Review’. His published works have been translated into a number of foreign languages and are used as textbook in some colleges.