He was a father figure to America's Founders. A renowned theologian from Scotland, John Witherspoon educated many young men who became prominent leaders of the Founding generation. He went on to embrace the revolutionary cause. He signed the Declaration of Independence, participated in the Continental Congress, and served in positions of influence in the New Jersey state government. Yet Witherspoon's greatest legacy was as an educator and president of the College of New Jersey. Dozens of his students went on to leadership positions in the emerging United States.