David Berdan Jr. was born in New York City, one of six children born to David Berdan Sr. and Susanna (Simmons) Berdan. He attended Union College beginning in 1817 and joined the Adelphic Society, a literary club, where he made the acquaintance of William H. Seward. Upon graduating in 1821, Berdan reluctantly studied law at his family's behest in the New York City law offices of John Anthon. Here, he formed a stronger friendship with Seward who was also apprenticing with Anthon.  Berdan was admitted as an attorney to the Supreme Court of New York in 1825 and left soon after on a walking tour of portions of America. On September 1825, he left for a European tour, accompanied by his friend Pierre Irving, the nephew of Washington Irving. Berdan traveled in Spain and France, but suffered greatly during his travels from advanced tuberculosis. He died on board a ship home to America on July 20, 1827 and received a burial at sea. He was 24 years old. William H. Seward received many letters from Berdan during his travels. Seward composed a eulogy honoring his friend that was first delivered before the Adelphic Society at Union College on July 21, 1828, and later published in the December 1839 issue of The Knickerbocker.