Astronomer Biography: David Rittenhouse

David Rittenhouse was one of the first renowned ‘American’ astronomers, in addition to being a Surveyor, Clockmaker, and the first Director of the American Mint. Born in April 1732 and died in 1796, Rittenhouse was an incredibly intelligent man who was very important for his time, since few people had the skills at such as level as he.

David was born near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in a small town known as ‘Rittenhouse Town’. David received no formal education, but instead taught himself mathematics and sciences. When he was young, he inherited a set of carpentry tools from his uncle. Being the intelligent, self-taught young boy he was, he began to use these tools to invent things. Some of the things he made included a working miniature model of his grandfather’s paper mill and a working water wheel. By the time he turned 13, David had mastered Newton’s laws such as Gravity and the Laws of Motion. By the time he turned 19, David started a scientific instruments shop near his father’s farm. He used his skill with clockworks to create to small models of the Solar system for Rutgers University, and in return received a scholarship to study philosophy. An interesting note, it would seem uncommon today for Mathematicians to study Philosophy, but that’s how they did things back then. Rittenhouse married twice, first to Eleanor Coulston in 1766 and then to Hannah Jacobs in 1771.

One of Rittenhouse’s most notable achievements was observing the Transit of Venus in 1769. According to rumor, he even fainted from excitement. Another was to be the First American to sight the planet Uranus in 1781. Then, in 1784 he along with surveyor Andrew Ellicott he completed a survey of the Mason Dixon line between Delaware and Pennsylvania.
Rittenhouse also participated in the American Philosophical Society. He was allowed membership in 1768 and served as a librarian and secretary. However, after Ben Franklin’s death, Rittenhouse was elevated to Vice President. Later, he was moved up to President in 1790 until 1799.
Rittenhouse was the treasurer of Pennsylvania from 1777 to 1789. President George Washington noticed his efficiency at keeping the books, and therefore selected to be the first director of US Mint. David was very diligent on perfecting the design of the first American coins, since he sought to create a work of art without breaching the new American etiquette.
Rittenhouse has a crater on the moon named after him, in addition to a square in Philadelphia.