Jul 21

Jul 21 Reforming Wayward Women - William White and the Magdalen Society of Philadelphia

Updated 7/20/21

William White was the first Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church in the United States.

White dedicated his life to charity, starting many of the organizations which still provide relief to the needy in Philadelphia.

William White

When the American Revolution began, William White had just returned from being ordained as a Priest in England.

Though he supported the Patriot Cause, White primarily limited himself to assisting with charitable causes in Philadelphia.

Helping the needy would become William’s life’s work.

Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church

In the 1780’s, White received consecration as a Bishop in the Episcopal Church.

Having published works on the operation of religion in the young United States, William became a leader of his denomination and in 1789 spent a year as the first Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church in the United States.

In 1795 he was returned to this position, however, this time White would remain the country’s highest authority in his Church for 40 years!

The Magdalen Society of Philadelphia

William White had already been on the board of the University of Pennsylvania when the Revolution began.

By 1800, he became a Founding member and President of the Magdalen Society of Philadelphia, with Robert Wharton as Vice President.

This organization was the first in the United States and mimicked those in Great Britain. Named after Mary Magdalen, the purpose of this Society was to reform wayward women (usually prostitutes).

Although the Magdalen Society of Philadelphia was largely unsuccessful, it changed it practices over the years and still exists today as the White-Williams Scholars with a focus on assisting underprivileged students of both genders.