Brown's Portraits - William White

William White (1747 - 1836), was the first bishop of the Episcopal Church in Pennsylvania.  He was born in Philadelphia and received his education at what is now called the University of Pennsylvania.  Ordained in England in 1770 and returned to Philadelphia in 1772 as Rector of the Church of Christ.  He was the only Episcopal cleric in PA who sided with the revolutionary cause.  He served as Chaplain of the Continential Congress 1777 - 1789 and then as Chaplain of the U. S. Senate.  He was largely responsible for the Constitution of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States.  White was very active at UPenn as a Trustee as well. 

Known for his charitable works, he founded what is now known as the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf.  He died in 1836 in Philadelphia, having outlived 2 wives and fathered eight children.