John Alford
Founder of the professorship of natural religion, moral philosophy, and civil polity in Harvard University
About John Alford
Lived 1686 – 1761 (aged 74–75).
John Alford (1686 – 29 September 1761) was the founder of the professorship of natural religion, moral philosophy, and civil polity in Harvard University.
Alford was a member of the council. He died at Charlestown, Massachusetts in 1761, aged 75. His executors determined the particular objects, to which his bequest for charitable uses should be applied, and divided it equally between Harvard, Princeton University, and the society for the propagation of the gospel among the Indians. To the latter US$10,675 was paid in 1787.
The town of Alford, Massachusetts, was named for him.
Levi Frisbie was the first Alford professor.
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Important facts
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped John Alford's
Frequently asked questions
Who was John Alford?
founder of the professorship of natural religion, moral philosophy, and civil polity in Harvard University
When was John Alford born?
John Alford was born in 1686.
When did John Alford die?
John Alford died on 29 September 1761.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: John Alford (professor)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Alford. https://biography.guide/john-alford-1686/
MLA: "John Alford." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-alford-1686/.
Chicago: "John Alford." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-alford-1686/.
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