People of the American Revolution

John Adams Lawyer Defended the British troops accused in the Boston Massacre Envoy to Britain during the Revolution to negotiate First Vice-President of U.S. Second President of U.S.

James Otis Descendant of Mayflower pilgrim Member of the Sons of Liberty Famous for saying, “Taxation without representation is tyranny” Brother of Mercy Otis Warren

George Washington Has no direct descendants Slave owner that freed his slaves upon his death Chair of the Constitutional Convention Lived at Mt. Vernon “Father of His Country”

Samuel Adams Strong promoter of independence Helped develop the Committees of Correspondence Graduated from Harvard, joined the family’s brewing house John Adams’ 2 nd cousin

Benjamin Franklin Printer The embodiment of the Enlightenment in America Minister to France during the Revolution Editor of Poor Richard’s Almanack Promoted the Albany Plan of Union Attended Constitutional Convention

King George III Wrote to Lord North in 1774: "The die is now cast; the colonies must either submit or triumph.... we must not retreat." Known as the King who lost America

Thomas Jefferson Secretary of State under George Washington Donated personal book collection to create the Library of Congress Scientist, promoter of farming, Francophile Father of the University of Virginia Author of Declaration of Independence

Thomas Paine Emigrated to America from England in 1774 Became one of America’s Founding Fathers Known as the “penman of the Revolution” Wrote pamphlet Common Sense

General Cornwallis British General during the American Revolution Surrendered to Washington to end the Revolutionary War

Patrick Henry Virginian Along with Samuel Adams and Thomas Paine, one of the most outspoken proponents of independence Strongly Anti-Federalist in the ratification debate In 1766 said “Give me liberty or give me death!”

James Madison Virginian With Hamilton and Jay, author of the Federalist Papers Father of the U.S. Constitution 4 th President

Abigail Adams “In the new Code of Laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make I desire you would Remember the Ladies.” Prolific letter-writer Promoter of women’s rights During the Constitutional Convention, she asked her husband, a participant, to “remember the ladies.” Married to John Adams

Phyllis Wheatley Could read and write Greek by age twelve Wrote poetry, among them “To His Excellency, George Washington” Came to America on the slave ship, the Phillis Owned by the Wheatley family of Boston

Mercy Otis Warren From a family of colonial activists Opposed the Constitution as an Anti- Federalist Wrote a history of the Revolutionary period One of the most influential writers of the time Sister of James Otis

Paul Revere Boston silversmith Completed his task with William Dawes and Samuel Prescott Immortalized in a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Alerted the colonial troops that “the British are coming!”

John Hancock President of the Continental Congress Wealthy Bostonian Presiding officer on the Declaration committee Birthday January 23, now National Handwriting Day First to sign the Declaration of Independence

George Grenville British Prime Minister during 1760s Responsible for recouping costs for defending the colonies, most notably the Stamp Act

Crispus Attucks Of African and Wampanoag descent Killed in the Boston Massacre (along with two others)

Benedict Arnold Colonial General credited with victories at Ticonderoga and elsewhere Passed over for promotion; became bitter Planned to turn West Point over to British; plot discovered Name now synonymous with “traitor”

Nathan Hale State hero of Connecticut American soldier captured Volunteered for intelligence gathering mission Captured by British and executed Famously said, “I regret that I have but one life to give for my country.”

Alexander Hamilton Founding Father Leader of Federalist Party Washington’s aide-de- camp in Revolutionary War Born, illegitimate, in the West Indies First Secretary of the Treasury Killed in duel by Aaron Burr