The 8 Most Underappreciated Founding Fathers

Hundreds of American Founders are underappreciated…that’s pretty much why I created this website.

So narrowing down who I consider the most underappreciated Founders was no easy task, but here we are.

While putting together this list, I took into consideration both a Founder’s contribution to the Revolution as well as their lack of notability in the public consciousness.

In creating this article, I reached out Tyson at Liberty & Co (who’s sponsoring this article, more on that later) to help make sure I didn’t overlook anyone. Thanks for your help Tyson!

8. John Jay

John Jay seems to often be overlooked because he did a lot of travelling.

Jay attended the Continental Congress and signed the Continental Association but went back to New York and missed the Declaration of Independence.

He returned to sit as President of the Continental Congress but then hopped over to Europe where he was one of the signers of the Treaty of Paris, which ended the Revolutionary War.

Jay returned to America to act as Minister of Foreign Affairs before being appointed as the First Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

John went on a special mission to negotiate with the British when he was elected as Governor of New York. Technically, he was Chief Justice, Ambassador and Governor all at the same time. 

7. Patrick Henry

We’ve all heard the phrase ‘Give me Liberty, or give me Death.’

Patrick Henry is the man who uttered these words, though he provided much more to the Founding of America.

Henry was a leader of Virginia, the largest and wealthiest British Colony. He served several terms as Governor at a time when most Americans put their State ahead of the Union.

Additionally, Henry was one of the leading Anti-Federalists during the Constitutional Ratification Debates. In fact, Patrick’s outspoken criticisms were a major contributing factor to James Madsion’s push to create the Bill of Rights. 

6. Roger Sherman

Roger Sherman was in the Continental Congress from day one.

Sherman assisted in leading the fledgling nation throughout the Founding, signing ALL of the Major Documents.

In addition to being a part of the Committee of Five that drafted the Declaration of Independence, he was a creator of the Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise. Sherman cooled tensions at the Constitutional Convention by recommending that the Senate have equal representation while the House of Representatives be determined by population.

After 230+ years this might seem obvious to us now, but at the time it was a hotly contested issue. Without his Compromise, the Constitution may never have come together. 

5. Silas Deane

Silas Deane was chosen to go to France in secret and attempt to secure support from King Louis XVI. During his time there, he sent over several European Generals to assist in the war effort (notably the Baron von Steuben and the Marquis de Lafayette).

Silas also sent over the supplies which helped win the Battle of Saratoga.

Usually Benjamin Franklin gets most of the credit for bringing France to the aid of the United States. While Franklin played is part, Deane was there laying the groundwork before his more famous friend arrived.  

In fact, when Silas returned to America, he did so with the first French Ambassador to the United States...and the might of the French Navy.

4. Joseph Warren

Who sent Paul Revere on his famous ride?

It was the same man who, with Samuel Adams, was one of the leading Patriots in Boston during the build up to war... Dr. Joseph Warren.

Additionally, Warren sent the Suffolk Resolves to the First Continental Congress which led to the Continental Association.

Why don’t we hear more about Warren?

Probably because he ignored the requests of absolutely everyone to act as Major General for the United Colonies ad the Battle of Bunker Hill.

Instead, he said he would prefer to die up to his knees in blood and took to the front lines.

Joseph Warren was martyred that day, and his name became a battle cry for the Continental Army. 

3. John Dickinson

John Dickinson’s Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania was a series of essays which propelled the American Colonies toward Revolution. 

Dickinson’s pen didn’t stop there. He also wrote the Olive Branch Petition and the Articles of Confederation.

John’s reputation took a hit when he chose to absent himself from the room instead of voting for independence, but this was not done flippantly. He thought the wise move would be to create a new government and get a foreign alliance then declare independence.

Don’t worry, Dickinson’s pen was back in action a few years later when he helped assemble that new government at the Constitutional Convention. 

2. Nathanael Greene

Nathanael Greene was able to succeed where others had failed. 

Green took over the Continental Army’s Southern Department after several other Generals suffered defeat after defeat.

He managed to outmaneuver the British Army and corner them at Yorktown, setting up the American and French forces for the fatal blow.

Without Nathanael Greene, the Revolutionary War is not won by the Continental Army. Plain and simple.

1. Robert Morris

Robert Morris is unquestionably the most underappreciated Founding Father.

Wars cost money.

Where did the Continental Army get money?

Robert Morris.

OK, to be fair, there were several other men who helped fund the Revolution. However, Morris is the man who spent far and away the most from his personal fortune.

In addition to being the Continental Congress’ Minister of Finance, he also found the time to be Minister of the Navy.

Need more proof?

Robert Morris was the Delegate at the Constitutional Convention who nominated George Washington to sit as its President.

This is noteworthy because Morris was considered by many as the only other man suitable for the position. He nominated his friend George to begin the creation of a new American Government from a place of unanimity.

If you like this article, you might like some of our other stories:

The Amputation of Gouverneur Morris - Finding Truth in Legend

Gates and Arnold at Saratoga - Dispelling Historical Inaccuracy

Dixwell the Regicide’s Grave - A Visit with Roger Sherman

I’d like to give a big thanks to Liberty & Co. for sponsoring today’s article.

Liberty & Co. offer the most comfortable, uniquely designed American Revolution apparel on the market today. I own several t-shirts and wear them all the time.

They also have a full, ever-growing line of merchandise and 10% of their proceeds go to the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia.

Just look at this Law Firm of John Adams design!!!

Law Firm of John Adams from Liberty & Co.

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