Francis Lewis was one of the most committed political radicals in New York City. Lewis signed the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation. Francis Lewis was born in Llandaff, ...

Thomas Fitzsimons was a reliable nationalist at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 and one of two Catholics to sign the Constitution. Thomas Fitzsimons was born in Ireland in 1741, but his family ...

The Magna Carta, or “Great Charter,” established that there are laws even the king must obey—an idea we’ve come to call “the rule of law.” JOHN, by the grace of God King of England, Lord of Ireland, ...

Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer favored a strong and permanent union of the states. At the Convention of 1787, Jenifer was content with the plan for a new government that emerged from the debates. Daniel ...

William Blackstone (1723-80) was the author of A Discourse on the Study of Law (1758), Commentaries on the Laws of England (1765-69), and other works. These works were for the most part based on ...

When crafting the Constitution, one of the central concerns of the Founding generation was how best to control government power. With the new Constitution, the Framers looked to strike an important ...

Josiah Bartlett represented New Hampshire at the Second Continental Congress, and he cast the first “aye” vote to approve separation from Britain. Josiah Bartlett was born in Amesbury, Massachusetts, ...

Samuel Chase signed the Declaration directly below John Hancock’s sprawling one. Chase later survived an impeachment trial as a Supreme Court justice. Samuel Chase was the only child of Reverend ...

In Stinson, a unanimous Court gave great deference to the commentary in sentencing decisions, holding that “the Guidelines ...

Lewis Morris had to wait for approval from New York’s Provincial Assembly to sign the Declaration on July 9, 1776. The British invasion of New York left his estate in considerable ruin. Lewis Morris, ...

Matthew Thornton was elected to the Continental Congress after the debate on independence had taken place, but he was permitted to sign the Declaration In November. Matthew Thornton was born in ...

Robert Treat Paine hoped separation from Britain would not become necessary, but he signed the Declaration after the crown rejected a petition to avoid war. Robert Treat Paine was born in Boston to ...