James Winthrop

James Winthrop (March 28, 1752 – September 26, 1821) was an American librarian and jurist. Winthrop was the son of physicist John Winthrop. He was wounded at the Battle of Bunker Hill. He was librarian of Harvard from 1772 until 1787.

Biography James Winthrop was the son of physicist John Winthrop, Hollis professor of mathematics and natural philosophy, and his first wife Rebecca Townsend. His mother died when he was quite young.

He graduated from Harvard College in 1769 and received a master's degree in 1772.

He was appointed a justice of the court of common pleas in 1791, and served in that position until 1805.

James Winthrop was a scholar of ability both in science and languages. He was a charter member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1780 and contributed a number of mathematical papers to the memoirs of the Academy. After his father's death he was a candidate for the Hollis professorship of mathematics. He later became interested in theology especially in prophecies and chronology, and on these topics he published a number of pamphlets. He was one of the original members of the Massachusetts Historical Society, but, although he took great interest in the society and was seldom absent from the meetings, does not appear to have contributed much to their publications. In 1809, Winthrop was elected a member of the American Philosophical Society in Philadelphia.

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. which appeared in the Massachusetts Gazette.