Political Career
Irvine served on the Supreme Executive Council of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, from 1782 to 1785, representing the City of Philadelphia. His party affiliation was Constitutionalist. On November 6, 1784 he defeated John Neville in the election for the Vice-Presidency of Pennsylvania, a position analogous to the modern office of Lieutenant Governor. He resigned the office on October 10, 1785 and was succeeded by Charles Biddle. No reason for his resignation appears in the Minutes of the Executive Council. Irvine served in the Pennsylvania General Assembly during the 1785–1786 term. In 1786 the Constitutionalist party lost much of its support and Irvine’s political career suffered. He did, however, serve in the State Senate from 1795 to 1799.
As Vice-President Irvine served as an ex officio member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania, and continued as an elected Trustee after leaving office, serving until 1791. He was also an original Trustee of Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and was considered to be a firm supporter of education.
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