Important Individuals of the American Revolution 8.4b Explain the roles played by significant individuals during the revolutionary period, including Samuel Adams, Benjamin Franklin, King George III, Thomas Jefferson, Marquis de Lafayette, Thomas Paine, and George Washington

George Washington Commander of the Continental Army Eventual 1st president of the United States

Thomas Jefferson Primary author of the Declaration of Independence First Secretary of State 3rd President of the U.S.

Leader of the Sons of Liberty Samuel Adams Leader of the Sons of Liberty

Thomas Paine Author of Common Sense and the series Crisis. His writings inspired Americans to fight the British

Benjamin Franklin Wrote the Albany Plan of Union World renown “scientist” Convinced the French to help the Americans in the Revolution

John Adams Diplomat in France and The Netherlands Revised Declaration of Independence 1st Vice-President 2nd President

Patrick Henry Delivered the famous “Give me liberty, or give me Death” speech.

Marquis de Lafayette French aristocrat and general under George Washington Would later be a leader in the French Revolution

King George III British King during the American Revolution