John Adams (October 30, 1735 – July 4, 1826), an American statesman and the second President of the United States (1797–1801), after being the first Vice President (1789–1797) for two terms. He is regarded as one of the most influential Founding Fathers of the United States.
Thomas Paine, a British pamphleteer, revolutionary, radical, inventor, and intellectual. He lived and worked in Britain until age 37, when he emigrated to the British American colonies, in time to participate in the American Revolution. His principal contribution was the powerful, widely-read pamphlet Common Sense (1776), advocating colonial America's independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain, and The American Crisis (1776?1783), a pro-revolutionary pamphlet series.
Benedict Arnold was a General in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. He is best known for betraying the United States forces and plotting to surrender the American fort at West Point to the British during the American Revolution. He is perhaps the most famous traitor in the history of the United States.
Arnold distinguished himself as a hero of revolution early in the war through acts of cunning and bravery in the Capture of Fort Ticonderoga, the Invasion of Canada (1775), the Battle of Valcour Island in Lake Champlain in 1776, the battles of Danbury and Ridgefield in Connecticut (after which he was promoted to Major General), and the Battle of Saratoga in 1777. He was wounded several times. But in spite of his successes, he was passed over for promotion by the Continental Congress. Arnold also opposed the alliance with France. He became heavily indebted, and was accused of corruption. He also married a Loyalist girl, Peggy Shippen. Frustrated and disaffected, Arnold turned to treason.
In September 1780, he formulated a plan. If he had succeeded, British forces would have controlled the Hudson River valley and split the colonies in half. The plot was thwarted, but Arnold escaped to British forces. He received a commission and a small reward. The British gave him small commands, but did not trust him. After the war, he lived in Canada and Britain, dying poor and obscure in 1801
Benjamin Rush (December 24, 1745 – April 19, 1813), a Founding Father of the United States. Rush lived in the state of Pennsylvania and was a physician, writer, educator, humanitarian and a devout Christian, as well as the founder of Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
Edmund Jenings Randolph (August 10, 1753 – September 12, 1813), an American attorney, Governor of Virginia, Secretary of State, and the first United States Attorney General. As a delegate from Virginia to the Convention of 1787, Randolph is known for having introduced the plan (known as the Virginia plan) that would eventually become the Constitution of the United States.
Alexander Hamilton (January 11, 1755 or 1757 – July 12, 1804), the first United States Secretary of the Treasury, a Founding Father, economist, and political philosopher. The chief of staff to General George Washington during the American Revolution, he was a leader of nationalist forces calling for a new Constitution; he was one of America's first Constitutional lawyers, and wrote half of the Federalist Papers, a primary source for Constitutional interpretation. He was the strongest leader in Washington's cabinet, designing the tax, banking and fiscal policies for the new nation, and to support it he created and led the Federalist Party, the new nation's first political party.
James Madison (March 16, 1751 – June 28, 1836) was an American politician and political philosopher who served as the fourth President of the United States (1809–1817), and was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Considered to be the "Father of the Constitution," he was the principal author of the document. The first President to have served in the United States Congress, he was a leader in the 1st United States Congress, drafted many basic laws and was responsible for the first ten amendments to the Constitution (said to be based on the Virginia Declaration of Rights), and thus is also known as the "Father of the Bill of Rights". As a political theorist, Madison's most distinctive belief was that the new republic needed checks and balances to protect individual rights from the tyranny of the majority.
Benjamin Franklin (January 17, 1706 – April 17, 1790), one of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author and printer, satirist, political theorist, politician, scientist, inventor, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat. As a scientist, he was a major figure in the Enlightenment and the history of physics for his discoveries and theories regarding electricity. He formed both the first public lending library in America and the first fire department in Pennsylvania.
Elias Boudinot (May 2, 1740 – October 24, 1821), a lawyer and statesman from Elizabeth, New Jersey who was a delegate to the Continental Congress and a U.S. Congressman for New Jersey. He also served as President of the Continental Congress from 1782 to 1783 and Director of the United States Mint from 1795 until 1805.
Patrick Henry (May 29, 1736 – June 6, 1799), the first post-colonial Governor of Virginia from 1776 to 1779. A prominent figure in the American Revolution, Henry is known and remembered for his "Give me Liberty, or give me Death!" speech, and as one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. Along with Samuel Adams and Thomas Paine, he is remembered as one of the most influential advocates of the American Revolution and republicanism, especially in his denunciations of corruption in government officials and his defense of historic rights.
Roger Sherman (April 19, 1721 – July 23, 1793) was an early American lawyer and politician. He served as the first mayor of New Haven, Connecticut, and served on the Committee of Five that drafted the Declaration of Independence, and was also a representative and senator in the new republic. He was the only person to sign all four great state papers of the U.S.: the Continental Association, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution. Thomas Jefferson said of him: "That is Mr. Sherman, of Connecticut, a man who never said a foolish thing in his life."
Samuel Adams (September 1722 – October 2, 1803) was a statesman, political philosopher, and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. As a politician in colonial Massachusetts, Adams was a leader of the movement that became the American Revolution, and was one of the architects of the principles of American republicanism that shaped the political culture of the United States. He was a second cousin to John Adams.
Benjamin Franklin (January 17, 1706 – April 17, 1790), one of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author and printer, satirist, political theorist, politician, scientist, inventor, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat. As a scientist, he was a major figure in the Enlightenment and the history of physics for his discoveries and theories regarding electricity. He formed both the first public lending library in America and the first fire department in Pennsylvania.
John Hancock (January 23, 1737 – October 8, 1793) was a merchant, statesman, and prominent Patriot of the American Revolution. He served as president of the Second Continental Congress and was the first governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He is remembered for his large and stylish signature on the United States Declaration of Independence, so much so that "John Hancock" became, in the United States, a synonym for "signature".
George Washington, general in the Continental army and first president of the United States. Pictured with sword and horse. Photographic reprint of artistic rendition.
Henry Lee III, called "Light Horse Harry", (January 29, 1756 - March 25, 1818). He was a cavalry officer in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. He was the Governor of Virginia and a U.S. Congressman, as well as the father of American Civil War general Robert E. Lee.
John Quincy Adams (July 11, 1767 – February 23, 1848), the sixth President of the United States from March 4, 1825 to March 4, 1829. He was also an American diplomat and served in both the Senate and House of Representatives. He was a member of the Federalist, Democratic-Republican, National Republican, and later Anti-Masonic and Whig parties. He is the son of 2nd president John Adams and First Lady Abigail Adams.
John Quincy Adams (July 11, 1767 – February 23, 1848), the sixth President of the United States from March 4, 1825 to March 4, 1829. He was also an American diplomat and served in both the Senate and House of Representatives. He was a member of the Federalist, Democratic-Republican, National Republican, and later Anti-Masonic and Whig parties. He is the son of 2nd president John Adams and First Lady Abigail Adams.
Noah Webster (October 16, 1758 – May 28, 1843), an American lexicographer, textbook author, spelling reformer, word enthusiast, and editor. He has been called the “Father of American Scholarship and Education.” His “Blue-Backed Speller” books were used to teach spelling and reading to five generations of American children. In the United States, his name has become synonymous with dictionaries, especially the modern Merriam-Webster dictionary that was first published in 1828 as An American Dictionary of the English Language.
John Adams (October 30, 1735 – July 4, 1826), an American statesman and the second President of the United States (1797–1801), after being the first Vice President (1789–1797) for two terms. He is regarded as one of the most influential Founding Fathers of the United States.
Anthony Wayne (January 1, 1745 – December 15, 1796), a United States Army general and statesman. Wayne adopted a military career at the outset of the American Revolutionary War, where his military exploits and fiery personality quickly earned him a promotion to the rank of brigadier general and the sobriquet of "Mad Anthony" Wayne.
General Israel Putman (January 7, 1718 - May 29, 1790) was an American army general who fought with distinction at the Battle of Bunker Hill (1775) during the American Revolutionary War (1775?1783). Although Putnam never quite attained the national renown of famous heroes like Davy Crockett or Daniel Boone plus more , in his own time his reckless courage and fighting spirit were known far beyond Connecticut's borders through the circulation of folk legends celebrating his exploits. He is often accredited as saying "Don't shoot until you see the whites of their eyes" during the battle of Bunker Hill.
Thomas Jefferson (April 13, 1743 – July 4, 1826) was the third President of the United States (1801–1809), the principal author of the Declaration of Independence (1776), and one of the most influential Founding Fathers for his promotion of the ideals of republicanism in the United States. Major events during his presidency include the Louisiana Purchase (1803) and the Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804–1806).
Andrew Jackson (March 15, 1767-June 8, 1845) was the seventh President of the United States (1829-1837). He was also military governor of Florida (1821), commander of the American forces at the Battle of New Orleans (1815), a founder of the modern Democratic Party, and the eponym of the era of Jacksonian democracy. He was a polarizing figure who dominated American politics in the 1820s and 1830s. Nicknamed "Old Hickory" because he was renowned for his toughness, Jackson was the first President primarily associated with the frontier (although born in South Carolina, he based his career in Tennessee).
Andrew Jackson, commanding general of the Battle of New Orleans during the war of 1812 and 7th president of the United States. This image is very scratchy and is not of great quality, but is an interesting item being one of, if not the only, known photo of President Jackson. Photographed the year before his death, 1844.
Francis Scott Key, best known for writing the American anthem, "The Star Spangled Banner" while witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812.
William Henry Harrison (February 9, 1773 – April 4, 1841) was the ninth President of the United States, an American military officer and politician, and the first president to die in office. He was a noted United States General in many of the nations early conflicts, including the indian wars and the War of 1812.
US Brig NIAGARA at the Centennial of the Battle of Lake Erie, Put-in-Bay, Ohio, 1913. The NIAGARA, commanded by Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, led the US to victory over the British during the September 10, 1813 naval Battle of Lake Erie. In 1913 the sunken remains of Niagara were raised from her grave at the bottom of Misery Bay, reconstructed, and towed to Put-In-Bay for the 100th anniversary of the battle.
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