Founding Fathers Of the United States Constitution And Our Country’s Early History

Paul Revere  Portrait painted by John Singleton Copley  Revere was a master silversmith, which is why he is holding a silver teapot in the portrait. It was also a symbol of the Boston Tea Party and the fact that he was a member of the Sons of Liberty.  He did the midnight ride to Lexington and Concord to warn the British were coming. 

Thomas Jefferson  Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence. He was a gifted writer.  He sent Lewis and Clark out to explore the Louisiana Purchase.  He bought Alaska from Russia – GREAT price!  He was the 3 rd president of the United States.

John Adams  Adams was often misunderstood—people thought he was cold and rude.  He and his cousin, Sam were leaders of the Sons of Liberty.  He was the second president.  He was the first to have his son serve as president also.  His political ideas and policies lasted the test of time.

Benedict Arnold  Arnold was one of the most trusted American generals of the Revolutionary War.  He turned traitor because he was passed over for military honors and accused of abusing his power and standing.

Samuel Adams  Samuel was cousin to John Adams and preferred to work “behind the scenes” of the Revolution.  He signed the Declaration of Independence and was part of the Boston Tea Party.

George Washington  Known as the “Father of Our Country”, he really was the 1 st president.  He was deeply concerned with helping the fledgling republic flourish.

James Madison  James is the “Father of the Constitution.”  He received many ideas from those he associated with, but the final written copy was in his words.  He designed our system of checks and balances.

Benjamin Franklin  Franklin was “a jack-of-all- trades and a master of many” – an inventor (lightning rod, etc.).  He was the only person who signed four of the most important documents in U.S. history.  Traveled all over the world – a great diplomat.