Jonathan Edwards succeeded his son-in- law, Aaron Burr, Sr., to become the third president of the College of New Jersey in September 1757. Edwards studied theology at Yale College, preached in the Presbyterian Church, and is remembered for his belief that only the truly converted should receive Communion, rather than all baptized persons. However, his proposal along these lines led to his dismissal from the Northampton, Massachusetts Presbyterian church in 1750, after which he passed his days serving as a missionary and writing with a passion. Edwards accepted the office of president with some reluctance but continued to preach actively from the College's pulpit. He died in March 1758 after being inoculated for smallpox, just six months into his tenure. His three sons and eight daughters survived him.

This series is arranged topically and contains folders concerning Edwards's life, his time in Princeton, his family, and his legacy. Materials include a newspaper obituary, several copies of the inscription on his tomb and a memorial to him in Latin, and information about his descendents and various Edwards artifacts such as his bust, his desk, and one of his letters. A folder entitled "Information on Portraits" contains an inventory of the Edwards portraits located in the Princeton Art Museum, information about the portraits, and several letters regarding their donation. Of particular interest among the images in this series are photographs of a portrait of Edwards's wife, Sarah Pierpont Edwards. Other images include views of his tomb and the Edwards Elm.