🧵 Everyone knows Washington, Jefferson, and Franklin — but the American founding was shaped by dozens of brilliant, yet often overlooked figures.
Here are 12 Founders whose legacies deserve more attention from fellow patriots who share the original virtues of the American founding 👇
Here are 12 Founders whose legacies deserve more attention from fellow patriots who share the original virtues of the American founding 👇
1. Roger Sherman
The only Founder to sign all four key founding documents: the Continental Association, Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, and Constitution. He was central to the Connecticut Compromise, balancing power between large and small states.
The only Founder to sign all four key founding documents: the Continental Association, Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, and Constitution. He was central to the Connecticut Compromise, balancing power between large and small states.
2. John Dickinson
Called the “Penman of the Revolution” for his Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania. Though cautious about declaring independence too soon, he was deeply committed to liberty and helped draft the Articles of Confederation.
Called the “Penman of the Revolution” for his Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania. Though cautious about declaring independence too soon, he was deeply committed to liberty and helped draft the Articles of Confederation.
3. Gouverneur Morris
Wrote the final draft of the Constitution and gave the document much of its lasting phrasing. A powerful speaker and sharp legal mind, he delivered more speeches at the Constitutional Convention than any other delegate.
Wrote the final draft of the Constitution and gave the document much of its lasting phrasing. A powerful speaker and sharp legal mind, he delivered more speeches at the Constitutional Convention than any other delegate.
4. Oliver Ellsworth
A Constitutional Convention delegate and later the third Chief Justice of the United States. He co-authored the Judiciary Act of 1789, which structured the federal court system as we know it today.
A Constitutional Convention delegate and later the third Chief Justice of the United States. He co-authored the Judiciary Act of 1789, which structured the federal court system as we know it today.
5. William Paterson
Author of the New Jersey Plan, which argued for equal state representation in Congress. Though the plan lost out, it influenced the structure of the Senate. He later served as an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
Author of the New Jersey Plan, which argued for equal state representation in Congress. Though the plan lost out, it influenced the structure of the Senate. He later served as an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
6. Charles Pinckney
A South Carolina delegate who submitted a detailed constitutional plan. Though overshadowed by others, many of his provisions—like religious liberty and separation of powers—found their way into the final Constitution.
A South Carolina delegate who submitted a detailed constitutional plan. Though overshadowed by others, many of his provisions—like religious liberty and separation of powers—found their way into the final Constitution.
7. Hugh Williamson
A North Carolina delegate and former physician and scientist. He contributed heavily to Convention debates and supported a strong national government. He also played a key role in organizing North Carolina’s ratification.
A North Carolina delegate and former physician and scientist. He contributed heavily to Convention debates and supported a strong national government. He also played a key role in organizing North Carolina’s ratification.
8. Richard Henry Lee
The man who formally proposed independence from Britain in June 1776. Known for the “Lee Resolution,” which set the Declaration of Independence in motion. He remained an influential legislator through the Confederation era.
The man who formally proposed independence from Britain in June 1776. Known for the “Lee Resolution,” which set the Declaration of Independence in motion. He remained an influential legislator through the Confederation era.
9. Thomas Mifflin
A Continental Army officer and delegate from Pennsylvania. He served as the first Quartermaster General and later became President of the Confederation Congress and Governor of Pennsylvania.
A Continental Army officer and delegate from Pennsylvania. He served as the first Quartermaster General and later became President of the Confederation Congress and Governor of Pennsylvania.
These lesser-known Founders helped lay the foundation of the republic through their legal insight, political courage, and dedication to liberty. Their work still shapes American governance today!
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