Samuel Stanhope Smith

The Reverend Samuel Stanhope Smith
Charles B. Lawrence, Samuel Stanhope Smith (1750–1819), Class of 1769, President (1795–1812), Princeton University Art Museum
7th President of Princeton University
In office 1795–1812
Preceded by	John Witherspoon
Succeeded by	Ashbel Green
1st President of Hampden–Sydney College
In office 1775–1779
Preceded by	Inaugural holder
Succeeded by	John Blair Smith
Personal details
Born	(1751-03-15)March 15, 1751 Pequea, Province of Pennsylvania
Died	August 21, 1819(1819-08-21) (aged 68) Princeton, New Jersey, U.S.
Spouse	Ann Witherspoon ​ ​ (m. 1775; died 1817)​
Alma mater	B.A. Princeton University D.D. Yale University LL.D. Harvard University
Signature

Samuel Stanhope Smith (March 15, 1751 – August 21, 1819) was a Presbyterian minister, founding president of Hampden–Sydney College and the seventh president of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) from 1795 to 1812. His stormy career ended in his forced resignation. His words – "If reason and charity cannot promote the cause of truth and piety, I cannot see how it should ever flourish under the withering fires of wrath and strife" – epitomize his career.^[1]