Jonathan Edwards

Edwards, Jonathan (1703–58), New England theologian and philosopher. A Calvinist in the Puritan tradition, he furthered the Great Awakening by his preaching. He was dismissed by his church in 1749 for his opposition to the taking of the sacrament of the Lord's Supper by those who had not experienced conversion. In 1757 he became president of the College of New Jersey. Influenced by John Locke, he wrote many works of philosophical theology, most notably Religious Affections (1746) and The Freedom of the Will (1754).

See also: Calvinism; Great Awakening.