Rittenhouse, David (1732-1796), was a leading American astronomer and maker of clocks and mathematical instruments. He is noted for two of the mechanical models he built to demonstrate the relative motions of the planets and for designing and constructing high quality telescopes and surveyor’s instruments.
Rittenhouse was born in Paper Mill Run, near Germantown, Pa. He received little formal education and was largely self-taught. President George Washington appointed him the first director of the United States Mint, a position he held from 1792-1795. Rittenhouse was president of the American Philosophical Society from 1791 to 1796.
