Christian Frederic Cruse was born in Philadelphia on June 27, 1794. He entered the University of Pennsylvania in the fall of 1812. On October 2 of the following year, he was one of thirteen founding members of the Philomathean Society, Penn’s first student organization. After graduating with honors as the Latin Salutatorian, he went on to study for the priesthood and was ordained as an Episcopal priest in 1822. He later came back to the University to become an assistant professor from 1831 to 1833.
From 1846 until 1853, Cruse served as the rector of Trinity Parish in Fishkill, New York. He then moved to the General Theological Seminary in New York City. Here he worked as the librarian, using his spare time to study and translate ancient languages and manuscripts including “Eusebius’ Ecclesiastes History.” He continued in this capacity until his death in New York on October 5, 1865.