Camm, John

(1718-1779). Commissary and president of the College of William and Mary. He was born in Yorkshire, England. Camm graduated from Trinity College, Cambridge University. He emigrated to Virginia. On Aug. 24, 1749, he became Professor of Divinity at the College of William and Mary. Camm served in this position from 1749 until 1757, and again from 1763 until 1772. Around 1749, he became rector of Yorkhampton Parish. In 1771 he began to call for the establishment of a bishopric in Virginia. This made him unpopular with many of the colonists. Also in 1771, he was named the commissary to Virginia and chosen the president of William and Mary. He was rector of Bruton Parish from 1771 until 1773. He was a staunch Tory and disapproved of Virginia separating from England. As a result of his Tory position, he was removed as president of William and Mary in 1776. Camm died in Hansford, six miles from Williamsburg.