David Rittenhouse began life as a farmer, maker of clocks and other mathematical instruments, and a local surveyor in his home area outside Philadelphia in the early 18th century. He moved to Philadelphia in 1770 and became a prominent citizen. He was a member of the Philosophical Society, an engineer of public works, an active Whig, a member of the state assembly, trustee of the Loan Office, treasurer of Pennsylvania during the Revolution, and the first director of the U.S. Mint.