John Laurens by Charles Willson Peale, 1780. Contents Quick facts Born: 28 October 1754 in Charleston, South Carolina. John Laurens’ father, Henry, was a partner in the largest slave-trading house in North America. While studying law in England, he married Martha Manning (1776), daughter of one of his father’s business partners. Martha was already pregnant. ... Read more| AmericanRevolution.org
John Jay by Gilbert Stuart, 1794. Contents Quick facts Peter Jay, a wealthy trader and merchant, married Mary Van Cortlandt in 1728. John Jay, the eighth of ten children (seven of whom survived into adulthood), was born on 12 December 1745 in New York City. But a few months after his birth his family moved ... Read more| AmericanRevolution.org
General John Burgoyne by Joshua Reynolds, c. 1766. Contents Quick facts Born: 24 February 1722 in Sutton, Bedfordshire, England. John Burgoyne was a British army officer, politician, and playwright who is best known for his role in the American Revolutionary War, particularly his command of British forces during the Saratoga campaign of 1777. His surrender ... Read more| AmericanRevolution.org
Charles Cornwallis by Thomas Gainsborough, 1783. Contents Quick facts Born: 31 December 1738 in London, England. Charles Cornwallis was a British Army officer and colonial administrator, best known for his role in the American Revolutionary War as a leading British general. He is most famously associated with his surrender to American and French forces at ... Read more| AmericanRevolution.org
George Washington by Patriae Pater, c. 1824. Contents Quick facts Born: 22 February 1732 at the family Pope Creek Estate (near present-day Colonial Beach, Virgina). George Washington served as the first President of the United States from 1789 to 1797 and is widely regarded as the “Father of His Country.” He was the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental ... Read more| AmericanRevolution.org
John Hancock by John Singleton Copley, 1765. Contents Quick facts Born: 23 January 1737 in Braintree, Massachusetts. John Hancock was a prominent Patriot of the American Revolution, best known for his large and bold signature on the United States Declaration of Independence. He served as President of the Second Continental Congress, where he played a ... Read more| AmericanRevolution.org
Benjamin Franklin by Charles Willson Peale, 1785. Contents Quick facts Born: 17 January 1706 in Boston, Massachusetts. Though associated with Philadelphia, Benjamin Franklin was born and raised in Boston. He did not arrive in Philadelphia until he was 17 (6-Oct-1723). In addition, Franklin also spent some 28 years abroad, in England and France, at various ... Read more| AmericanRevolution.org
Learn about John Adams, the second President of the United States. Read a biography and key facts about President Adams.| AmericanRevolution.org