KEMP, John, educator, born in Achlossan, Scot-bin(l, 10 April, 1763; died in New York city, 15 November, 1812. He was graduated at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. in 1781, and before he was of age became a member of the Royal society of Edinburgh. He emigrated to the United States in 1783, and, after settling' in Virginia, came to New York city, where in 1785 he was appointed teacher, and the next year became professor of mathematics in Columbia. In 1795 he was transferred to the chair of geography, history, and chronology. Professor Kemp had an important influence in moulding the views of De Witt Clinton on topics of internal improvement and national policy, in 1810 he visited Lake Erie to examine into the feasibility of the projected canal, and in advance of the surveys pronounced it, entirely practicable.