Jeremy Belknap is known as the founder of the Massachusetts Historical Society, America's prototype for such organizations. He ministered in Dover, New Hampshire, and Boston, Massachusetts. In 1775 he was chaplain for American troops in Cambridge.

His writings include a History of New Hampshire, 1784-92 and A Discourse Intended to Commemorate the Discovery of America by Columbus. Alexis de Tocqueville declared Belknap America's best native historian.