James Logan, born in Lurgan 350 years ago on October 20, was a key figure in colonial America and a driving force in the development of Pennsylvania. Logan’s prominence in intellectual circles of his era was well noted. His parents, Patrick, a former Presbyterian Church of Scotland clergyman turned Quaker, and Isabel Hume, wed in Scotland’s Midlothian region before moving to Ireland to escape religious oppression.
Despite receiving initial education from his father, Logan primarily educated himself, showing a vivacious interest in reading throughout his life. His life in Dublin, where he was training to work in the linen industry, was disrupted when his family were forced to retreat back to Scotland amidst the Williamite Wars. In 1694, they relocated again to Bristol where Logan was handed the reins of the Friar Meeting House Quaker school when his father went back to Ireland.
Later, Logan got back to the linen business and in 1699 undertook a journey to America aboard the Canterbury, accompanying William Penn. This was to be the founding journey of the Pennsylvania colony. His trading pursuits in America involved fur trade, an endeavour marred by controversy; Logan faced accusations of selling rum to Native Americans and indebting many fur merchants. Allegedly, he also owned slaves.
Logan, serving as Penn’s secretary, was instrumental in Pennsylvania’s progression. His key positions included being the province’s secretary, being the Provincial Council of Pennsylvania’s clerk, and holding high-ranking offices such as the 1722-23 mayorship of Philadelphia. During his term, Logan encouraged inclusivity by permitting Irish Catholic immigrants to participate in the city’s first public Mass. He also served as the supreme court of Pennsylvania’s chief justice (1731-39), was the acting governor of Pennsylvania (1736-37), advocated against Quaker pacifism and the refusal to pay war taxes, and was a foundational trustee of the College of Philadelphia, which later became the University of Pennsylvania.
With land investments and commerce with Indigenous Americans as his primary assets, he amassed a significant fortune. Notably, Patrick Geoghegan claims he managed to maintain friendly relations with native tribes despite his practices. However, while initial policies by William Penn and his successors favoured the Lenape tribe, a different approach was adopted by landowners such as Logan and Penn’s indebted sons. Prior to establishing an official treaty, they pursued aggressive land procurement, using the might of the Iroquois Confederacy to override Lenape territorial rights. This resulted in a large-scale colony expansion and forced dispersal of the Lenape people.
From an early age, Logan exhibited a keen interest in academics and scientific pursuits, frequently exchanging letters on scientific topics with his younger brother William, a Bristol-based doctor. His understanding of mathematics, natural history, and astronomy became renowned. He regularly published his research on botany and optics. He is credited for significant advances in plant hybridisation due to his discovery of the maize reproduction process.
Despite his contributions through his own research, Patrick Geoghegan points out that his role was more prominent as an advisor to others. He tutored John Bartram, an American botanist, in Latin, making introductions for him to Linnaeus, a ground-breaking Swedish biologist and doctor. Another individual who benefited from his mentorship was Benjamin Franklin, who published some of Logan’s Latin translations. Franklin and his associates saw Logan as an exceptional connoisseur of literature.
Once admitting to a bibliomania, he eventually decided to leave his extensive library collection to the public. After his death, his son James made this happen. His collection of over 2,000 works, has been acclaimed by Patrick Geoghegan as the best in pre-independence America. It was initially housed in the Bibliotheca Loganiana that Logan designed and constructed on Philadelphia’s Sixth Street, and can now be viewed at the Library Company of Philadelphia.
Logan married Sarah Read, daughter of the trade merchant Charles Read, in December 1714, and they had five children. He passed away in October 1751, in Germantown, Philadelphia. To honour his legacy, the Logan neighbourhood and the notable Logan Circle in Philadelphia bear his name.
Patrick Geoghegan was depicted as possessing both a noble demeanour and perspective. Alfred Webb’s Irish Biography Compendium (1878) characterised him as a lofty, well-built individual, carrying himself with grave elegance. He was blessed with a favourable complexion which remained radiant even into his advanced years. Remarkably, his brown hair did not lose its colour with the fading of his youth, and his vision remained unaided by glasses.