Quick Facts
Biography
Edward Wigglesworth (c. 1693–1765) was a clergyman, teacher and theologian in Colonial America.
Life
His father was clergyman and author Michael Wigglesworth (1631–1705). He graduated Harvard College in 1710 and in 1722 he was appointed to the newly created Hollis Chair, thereby becoming the first divinity professor commissioned in the American colonies. He died on January 16, 1765 at age 73 after holding the chair for more than 42 years.
He married Rebecca Coolidge (died 1754) in 1729. Their children were Rebecca Wigglesworth (1730–1783) who married Stephen Sewall (1734-1804) who was also an educator; Edward Wigglesworth (1732–1794) who became the next Hollis professor at Harvard; Mary Wigglesworth (1735–1758); and Sybil Wigglesworth (1736–1746). His son Edward had a son also named Edward Wigglesworth (1771-1794), and a son Thomas Wigglesworth (1775–1855) who had son also named Edward Wigglesworth (1804–1876).
He was buried at the Phipps Street Burying Ground located in the neighborhood of Charlestown in Boston, Massachusetts.