Jonathan Edwards (1629 – 20 July 1712) was a

theologian Theology is the study of religious belief from a religious perspective, with a focus on the nature of divinity. It is taught as an academic discipline, typically in universities and seminaries. It occupies itself with the unique content of ...

and Principal of

Jesus College, Oxford Jesus College (in full: Jesus College in the University of Oxford of Queen Elizabeth's Foundation) is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. It is in the centre of the city, on a site between Turl Street, Ship ...

, from 1686 to 1712. Born in

Wrexham Wrexham ( ; ) is a city status in the United Kingdom, city in the North East Wales, north-east of Wales. It lies between the Cambrian Mountains, Welsh mountains and the lower River Dee, Wales, Dee Valley, near the England–Wales border, borde ...

Wales Wales ( ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by the Irish Sea to the north and west, England to the England–Wales border, east, the Bristol Channel to the south, and the Celtic ...

, Edwards studied at

Christ Church, Oxford Christ Church (, the temple or house, ''wikt:aedes, ædes'', of Christ, and thus sometimes known as "The House") is a Colleges of the University of Oxford, constituent college of the University of Oxford in England. Founded in 1546 by Henry V ...

, from 1655 to 1659. He became a Fellow of Jesus College in 1662, Vice-Principal in 1668 and Principal on 2 November 1686. He was also

Vice-Chancellor A vice-chancellor (commonly called a VC) serves as the chief executive of a university in the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Kenya, other Commonwealth of Nati ...

of the

University of Oxford The University of Oxford is a collegiate university, collegiate research university in Oxford, England. There is evidence of teaching as early as 1096, making it the oldest university in the English-speaking world and the List of oldest un ...

from 1689 to 1691, the first principal of the college to be so. He was rector of Kiddington, Hinton Ampner and

Llandysul Llandysul, also spelt Llandyssul, is a town and Community (Wales), community in the county of Ceredigion, Wales. As a community it consists of the townships of Capel Dewi, Llandysul, Capel Dewi, Horeb, Pontsian, Pren-gwyn, Tregroes, Rhydowen and ...

and vicar of Clynnog Fawr. He was also appointed Treasurer of Llandaff Cathedral. He was involved in theological debates with Socinians and

Antinomians Antinomianism ( [] 'against' and [] 'law') is any view which rejects laws or Legalism (theology), legalism and argues against moral, religious or social norms (), or is at least considered to do so. The term has both religious and secular meaning ...

, publishing ''A Preservative against Socinianism'' (in four parts, between 1693 and 1703) and ''A Vindication of the Doctrine of Original Sin from the exceptions of Dr.

Daniel Whitby Daniel Whitby (1638–1726) was a controversial English theologian and biblical commentator. An Arminianism in the Church of England, Arminian priest in the Church of England, Whitby was known as strongly anti-Calvinism, Calvinistic and later gav ...

'' (1711). He died in 1712, bequeathing his library to Jesus College and money for the restoration of the chapel, in which he was buried.

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* 1629 births 1712 deaths People from Wrexham Alumni of Christ Church, Oxford Fellows of Jesus College, Oxford Vice-chancellors of the University of Oxford Principals of Jesus College, Oxford 17th-century Welsh theologians 18th-century Welsh theologians 17th-century Welsh writers 18th-century Welsh writers 18th-century Welsh male writers {{UOxford-stub