Revolutionary Georges - Founders with a Familiar First Name
George was an extremely common name during the late colonial period of American history.
This means that many American Founders responded to the call of ‘George.’
Perhaps it’s a bit silly, but I thought it would be fun to look at the most important Revolutionary Georges.
Can you guess who’s number one?
George Frost
George Frost was a sailor who sat as a county judge in New Hampshire.
Frost served as a Delegate to the Continental Congress for two years before returning home to sit on the Governor’s Council, which was essentially a combination of State Senate and Cabinet.
George Plater
George Plater was a Continental Congressman from Maryland who invested in developing western lands with many other Founders.
Plater a decade as President of the Maryland Senate before becoming State Governor.
George Eacker
George Eacker was lawyer who was guided by Aaron Burr and a player in early Tammany Hall.
Eacker gave a notable 4th of July speech in New York city but is best known for killing Alexander Hamilton’s son, Philip, in a duel.
George Partridge
George Partridge was a Massachusetts rebel who was responsible for raising funds with which the militia could be paid.
Partridge would later serve as a Continental Congressman where he again took up the trying task of paying for soldiers, this time for the Continental Army.
George Rogers Clark
George Rogers Clark is known as the ‘Conqueror of the Northwest.’
Clark led the Illinois Campaign, making him one of the (if not the) most important military leaders in the Western Theater of the Revolutionary War.
George Walton
George Walton was one of the handful of men that forced Georgia to join the Revolutionary Movement.
Walton joined the other Delegates in Philadelphia in signing the Declaration of Independence.
He would later serve as Governor and Chief Justice of Georgia.
George Read
George Read signed the Continental Association, Declaration of Independence and Constitution.
Read also served the State of Maryland at various levels, including as Governor.
His last major position was as an inaugural US Senator.
George Clinton
George Clinton was the first Governor of New York.
Clinton served as Governor throughout the Revolution, a full two decades.
He became one of the leading Anti-Federalists during the Constitution Ratification Debates.
George Wythe
George Wythe served in the Continental Congress and voted for the Declaration of Independence but left before he had a chance to sign it.
Wythe later served in the Constitutional Convention but left before had a chance to sign that too.
He is probably most notable as an educator, as he taught students with names like Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, John Marshall, Bushrod Washington and Henry Clay.
George Mason
George Mason was one of the most respected intellectuals of Revolutionary Virginia.
Mason wrote his State’s first Constitution and its Declaration of Rights.
He attended the Constitutional Convention but refused to sign the document and published his objections, in turn becoming one of the main catalysts for the United States Bill of Rights.
George Washington
No surprise here.
George Washington’s the Father of His Country, First Citizen and the inaugural President of the United States.
He’s George Washington, what more can I say.
The Founder all other Founders aspired to be.
Bonus George
I really couldn’t write this article without mentioning King George III.
Love him or hate him, there would not have been a Revolutionary War without his glorious mistakes.
This article is a bit different from what I usually write, but if you want more interesting ‘Studies’ you might want to check these out:
3 Founders with a Worse Reputation Than They Deserve
Which Founder Brewed the Best Bear
Founders Who Fell - The 11 Most Important Delegates to the Stamp Act Congress
Today’s article was pretty silly.
If you’d like a fun look at the two most important Georges, check out ‘George vs George’ which looks at both sides of the American Revolution.
If you’d like a copy you can get one through the Amazon affiliate link below (you’ll support this site, but don’t worry, Amazon pays me while your price stays the same).
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