Who is your favorite American Founding Father and why?

Question

There is no wrong answer, as long as they were alive during the first 50 years of America's founding.

Answer 1

Hi Jimmy,

This is a great question. Let me give it a try. My favorite is John Adams. In my opinion, Adams is the most under-rated American of all times.

Many people don't know this about Adams, but he was the lawyer defending the British soldiers who were accused of murder suring the Boston Massacre. He got them off too. Although he was no fan of British troops in Boston, he took the case because he believed in their innocence. He lost a good many friends over this; he wrecked his law practice, and nearly suffered a mental breakdown. But such was the courage of his convictions that he did what he believed was the morally correct thing to do -- regardless of personal cost. I call that CHARACTER!!

Later, he was the guiding force behind the Declaration of Independence and personally guided, pushed, prodded and cajoled the other delegates to accept it.

ever the shrewd tactician, he realized that the revolution could only succeed if the entire nation was involved, and so personally nominated a Virginian -- George Washington, to lead the army.

During the war years, he went to Europe where he helped to secure both French and Dutch recognition for the new nation, and single-handedly negotiated loans for several millions of dollars from the Dutch, without which, the US could never have continued to prosecute the war.

He was a tireless patriot who gave his all for the new nation he helped to found; and in my opinion, has never received the full credit he was due.

Cheers, mate.

Answer 2

Several.

The first two that come to mind: Thomas Paine, the guy that started all the trouble, or Thomas Jefferson, the smartest guy in the room.

Ethan Allen was pretty theatrical, too. Six foot plus when most men were far shorter, an avowed atheist and a guy that cursed and drank all the time that somehow got seized by patriotism (or at least anti-British sentiment) and turned guerrilla fighter. He definitely wins for sheer drama purposes.

Nathan Hale wins for sheer bravery in the face of capture (although the way he got captured was pretty silly and dumb.) John Paul Jones comes second in the bravery race.

Answer 3

Our first President George W., who understood that the United States of America should NOT have a king. Before there were term limits on the presidency, he turned down the offer to become a king and knew to step aside after serving, thus demonstrating the wisdom of not investing the executive branch with too much power.

Answer 4

John Adams...he worked so hard to get the Declaration of Independence on the table for discussion in the Congress. He also worked very hard as an Ambassador to France and to the Netherlands. In the Netherlands he was able to secure funding for the Revolutionary War. He also lived very simply and frugally. When he died his estate was worth over $100Km which in those days was a lot of money. If you have not read "John Adams" by David McCullough, I highly suggest it.

Answer 5

a follow up to Jack:

John Adams risked his entire life too prove the British troops innocence even when faced with bricks through his window carrying threats and thrown by his so-called friends. but when it was over he was seen -- even by those who had previously threatened his life -- as a character who refused to allow his own actions to be controlled by the threats of others: this is a trait that would define America and Americans throughout the revolution. the reason Adams wasnt outright murdered was because the threateners themselves realized that this was exactly what they themselves were trying to display to the british, and that they themselves had been tyrannic towards Adams. they realized that he was displaying the ultimate american character, independent and uncontrolled by the threats of tyrant. this is why Adams didnt lose the respect of his fellow americans as might have had. he was the first true american in my eyes

Answer 6

Benjamin Franklin.

He was a brilliant inventor (of pot-bellied stove, bifocals, lightning rod, but also ahead of his time with concepts of daylight savings time and four-lane highways).

He was a hugely popular ambassador to France and emissary to Britain. For decades he was the most famous Yankee on the planet.

He was a great politician and an early role model for the entrepreneurial and successful American businessman.

More than anything, everyone says he was a ton of fun.

Answer 7

James Madison. Without him, there would be no Bill of Rights. Small, quiet, and a shaker of the world. He da MAN!

Answer 8

Ben Franklin. He was brilliant and colorful. His philosophies and inventions established the direction in American culture and many of our industries.