Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History
Benson Lossing, Ed.

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Colden, Cadwallader 1688-

Physician; born in Dunse, Scotland, Feb. 17, 1688; graduated at the University of Edinburgh in 1705, and became a physician and

Cadwallader Colden.

mathematician. In 1708 he emigrated to Pennsylvania, and returned to his native country in 1712. He came again to America in 1716, and in 1718 made his abode in New York, where he was made first surveyor-general of the colony, became a master in chancery, and, in 1720, obtained a seat in Governor Burnet's council. He received a patent for lands in Orange county, N. Y., about 10 miles from Newburg, and there he went to reside in 1755. Becoming president of the council, he administered the government in 1760, and was made lieutenantgovernor in 1761, which station he held until his death, being repeatedly placed at the head of affairs by the absence or death of governors. During the Stamp Act excitement the populace burned his coach. After the return of Governor Tryon in 1775, he retired to his seat on Long Island. Dr. Colden wrote a History of the five Indian Nations of Canada in 1727. He was an ardent student of botany, and introduced the Linnaean system into America. He published scientific works and was a correspondent of the leading men of science in Europe. He died on Long Island, N. Y., Sept. 28, 1776.