Founding Fathers of the United States

Harrison W. Mark
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The Founding Fathers of the United States were the leaders of the American Revolution (c. 1765-1789), who led the push for American independence from Great Britain, founded the United States, and oversaw the implementation of the US Constitution in the tumultuous years following the war.

While the term 'Founding Father' can apply to many influential individuals from the American Revolutionary period, this collection looks at 15 of the most significant. It includes the men who spearheaded the initial struggle against Parliament in the 1760s, the writers of the Declaration of Independence, influential figures in the Second Continental Congress, which oversaw the course of the American Revolutionary War, as well as the first five presidents of the United States.

Articles & Definitions

George Washington
Definition

George Washington

George Washington (1732-1799) was an American military officer and statesman who led the Continental Army to victory during the...
John Adams
Definition

John Adams

John Adams (1735-1826) was an American lawyer, statesman, and diplomat who was a prominent leader of the American Revolution (1765-1789...
Samuel Adams
Definition

Samuel Adams

Samuel Adams (1722-1803) was a prominent Patriot leader in the American Revolution (1765-1789), and a Founding Father of the United...
John Hancock
Definition

John Hancock

John Hancock (1737-1793) was a merchant, politician, and Founding Father of the United States, who helped lead the Patriot movement...
Thomas Jefferson
Definition

Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) was an American lawyer, statesman, philosopher, and a Founding Father of the United States. A prominent...
Benjamin Franklin
Definition

Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) was an American printer, writer, scientist, inventor, and diplomat, often regarded as a Founding...
Richard Henry Lee
Definition

Richard Henry Lee

Richard Henry Lee (1732-1794) was an American politician from Virginia, who played a significant role in the American Revolution...
Joseph Warren
Definition

Joseph Warren

Doctor Joseph Warren (1741-1775) was a physician from Boston, Massachusetts, who became an important political leader of the Patriot...
James Madison
Definition

James Madison

James Madison (1751-1836) was a statesman, diplomat, and a Founding Father of the United States, who served as the fourth US president...
Henry Laurens
Definition

Henry Laurens

Henry Laurens (1724-1792) was an American statesman from South Carolina who played an important role in the politics of the American...
Patrick Henry
Definition

Patrick Henry

Patrick Henry (1736-1799) was a Virginian lawyer and politician who played a vital role in the American Revolution (c. 1765-1789...
Alexander Hamilton
Definition

Alexander Hamilton

Alexander Hamilton (1755/57-1804) was a lawyer and politician, often recognized as a Founding Father of the United States. He...
Aaron Burr
Definition

Aaron Burr

Aaron Burr (1756-1836) was an American politician and lawyer, who served as the third vice president of the United States (1801-1805...
James Monroe
Definition

James Monroe

James Monroe (1758-1831) was an American statesman who served as the fifth president of the United States (1817-1825). The fourth...
John Marshall
Definition

John Marshall

John Marshall (1755-1835) was an American lawyer and statesman, who served as the fourth chief justice of the United States Supreme...

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