D. D Breckenridge John, a Presbyterian clergyman, born at Cabell's Dale, Ky., July 4, 1797, died there, Aug. 4, 1841. He graduated at Princeton college in 1818. While at college he joined the Presbyterian church, and though his father, United States attorney general under Jefferson, had designed him for the law, he preferred the ministry. In 1822 he was licensed by the presbytery of New Brunswick to preach, and shortly after served as chaplain to congress. Having been ordained to the ministry, he was installed pastor of a church in Lexington, Ky. After remaining in this charge four years, during which time he established a religious newspaper entitled "The Western Luminary," he was called to the second Presbyterian church in Baltimore, as colleague with the Rev. Dr. Glendy. Appointed in 1831 secretary and general agent of the Presbyterian board of education, he removed to Philadelphia, and occupied this post for six years, when he was elected by the general assembly professor in the Princeton theological seminary. During his connection with the seminary he engaged in two public controversies, one written and the other oral, with the Rev. John Hughes of Philadelphia (afterward archbishop of New York), which were published in book form.

He took an active part in the controversies which agitated the Presbyterian church, as a leader of the Old School party. All his sermons, speeches, and arguments were extempore, yet correct and logical. In 1838, upon the organization of the board of foreign missions, he was elected its secretary and general agent, and devoted his entire time and energy to the superintendence of its operations till 1840, when his health gave way. At the time of his death he was pastor elect of a Presbyterian church in New Orleans, and president elect of Oglethorpe university, Georgia.