Alexander Hamilton
Began his career serving as aide-de-camp to Washington during the American Revolution. Was strong proponent of abolishing Articles of Confederation to create a new format that would allow a much stronger federal government with centralized power. Member of the Constitutional Congress. Opposed a total democratic system and was one of the primary contributors of the Federalist Papers which espoused the strong government. Was first Secretary of the Treasury and was responsible for establishing the national banking system. Was a strong foe of Thomas Jefferson yet supported Jefferson against Aaron Burr. Hamilton then defeated Burr for Governor of NY. Challenged to a duel by Burr, Hamilton was shot and killed in 1804 and America lost one of their greatest politicians and great thinkers.

Robert Morris
Successful Philadelphia businessman who was known as the financier of the American Revolution as he purchased the majority of the supplies for Washington’s army during the war. Member of the Constitutional Congress, signer of Declaration of Independence, and served as superintendent of finance. Founder of the Bank of North America. He also served as U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania. He lost his fortune in land speculation in the West.

John Jay
A member of the Constitutional Congress in which he served as President for two years. Served as Minster to Spain and helped Ben Franklin in France to obtain aid. Was the Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Best known for his work with Alexander Hamilton and James Madison in the Federalist Papers which explained and endorsed the Constitution. Was the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Also negotiated the Jay Treaty with England as well as serving as the Governor of New York.

Robert Livingston
One of the five men that drafted the Declaration of Independence, (the others being John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and of course, Thomas Jefferson). He was also the law partner of John Jay and was a member of the Constitutional Congress. First U.S. Secretary of Foreign Affairs and under Jefferson became U.S. Minister to France. Financed Robert Fulton for the steamboats. It was Livingston that administered the oath of office to George Washington when he became the first president of the United States.

John Hancock
First became involved in politics when he led against the Stamp Act which affected him greatly from his inheritance of a large mercantile business. Served in the Massachusetts legislature (and later, became the state’s first Governor) and served as President of the Constitutional Congress. He is best known for being the first (and having the largest signature) of the Declaration of Independence.

Henry Lee
"Light Horse Harry" who gained fame for his calvary command during the revolution. Member of the Constitutional Congress and served as Governor of Virginia as well as in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was in command of the troops that put down the Whisky Rebellion. He is most remembered for his words regarding George Washington..."First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen."

Samuel Chase
Leader of the Sons of Liberty and served on the Constitutional Congress as well as signer of the Declaration of Independence representing Maryland. Was very influential in drafting the Articles of Confederation but opposed the Constitution which gave too much power to the Federal government. Later he was appointed to the Supreme Court.

John Lansing
Served as delegate for the Constitutional Congress as well as the Constitutional Convention. It was Lansing who presented the New Jersey Plan which protected the sovereignty of the states although he still opposed the constitution. Was justice of the NY Supreme Court before becoming Chief justice and then later, Chancellor of New York.

Patrick Henry
Served in the Virginia legislature and was one of the primary radicals against the present British policies. Member of the Constitutional Congress although he was opposed to the strong federal control. He proposed the first ten amendments which became known as the Bill of Rights. Also served two terms as Governor of Virginia. Best known for his famous phrase uttered against the British...."Give me liberty, or give me death."

John Langdon
Active leader in pre-Revolutionary activities. Member of Constitutional Congress. During the war he organized and financed troops and was involved in the battles of Bennignton and Saratoga. Served as speaker of the House of Representatives for New Hampshire before becoming president of that state, then Governor, and later, U.S. Senator. Was the first President Pro Tempore of the United States Senate.

John Marshall
Just in his teens, Marshall served in the Continental Army in many battles and became a lawyer after the war. Became a member of the U.S. House of Representatives before being appoint by Adams as Secretary of State. The next year, he became Chief Justice of the Supreme Court where he ruled for 35 years. He is credited with establishing the guidelines of the Supreme Court and is considered the greatest Chief Justice in U.S. history.

George Mason
Led strong opposition to British polices and was a member of the Virginia Constitutional convention. Prepared the Declaration of Rights and developed most of the constitution of Virginia. Delegate to the Constitution convention but did not approve of the final format. He was chosen as the first U.S. Senator from Virginia but refused to accept.

Elbridge Gerry
Member of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress and Constitutional Congress, signer of Declaration of Independence as well as the forerunner the Articles of Confederation. Gerry was opposed to the Constitution. Served two terms in the House of Representatives. He was one of the delegates to France in the famous XYZ affair. He also served as Governor of Massachusetts and was Vice president to Madison (1813-1814). Gerry is best known for his creative re-districting of Massachusetts to give the Republicans control of the state as many of the districts had bizarre zoning. Today, such manipulation of districts is known as Gerrymandering.

Richard Henry Lee
Strong advocate of the American Revolution and was heavily involved in Virginia politics with Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson. Member of Constitutional Congress and signer of Declaration of Independence although he opposed the Constitution. Served as U.S. Senator before he died.

Ethan Allen
One of the heroes of the American Revolution. He is best known for being the leader of the Green Mountain Boys which helped to establish Vermont as a separate state. Represented Vermont during the Constitutional Congress. Attacked and captured Fort Ticondergoa and represented Vermont in order to bring independence to the fledgling state.

Benjamin Harrison
A revolutionary leader from Virginia. Member of the  and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Served as Governor of Virginia in 1782 and continued in the legislature until 1791. His son and great grandson, both became Presidents of the United States.

Marquis de Lafayette
When he was only 20, Lafayette came to fight for the American Revolution and was made a major general in the Continental army. H was a close friend of Washington and served at Yorktown and in Virginia. He traveled back to his native France to plead the case for France’s involvement in America’s fight. After the revolution, he returned to France to take active part in the French Revolution where he was a member of the French National Assembly. He avoided politics during the reign of Napoleon.

Benedict Arnold
Although known primarily now as "the traitor", Arnold was one of the leading military figures for the United States early in the War. Led attack against Quebec but his most important battle was his stand at Lake Champlain which delayed British invasion for a year. It is believed that because he was consistently passed over for promotion and after commanding Philadelphia, was embroiled in bitter dispute with local authorities which led to court martial, he defected to the British. At the time, he was in command of West Point which he planned to turn over before the plan was found out. Led a miserable life afterwards in shame in England and Canada.

Thomas Johnson
Member of the Constitutional Congress, it was Johnson who nominated Washington as the Commander-in-chief of the Continental Army. Was the first Governor of Maryland and was later appointed by Washington as one of the first Associate Judges of the Supreme Court.

Was the president of the first provincial Congress of South Carolina. Member of the Continental Congress. He was captured by the British and held prisoner in the Tower of London but was exchanged in 1782 for Lord Cornwallis. Later serve on a special mission to France and England and little is known of him after that. His son was the officer that took negotiated terms of surrender with Cornwallis.

Rufus King
A noted diplomat and a savvy political leader, King was born in Maine and was a lawyer in Massachusetts and served as a member of the Continental Congress. Became one of the first U.S. Senators from New York. Served under Washington as U.S. Minister to Great Britain which he continued with Adams. Unsuccessful candidate for President and Vice-President.

Stephen Hopkins
Served as Chief justice of Superior Court and Governor of Rhode Island (1751-1767) and was a member of the Constitutional Congress, serving on the committee that drafted the Articles of Confederation. Signer of the Declaration of Independence and helped to establish the first public library in Rhode Island.

George Clinton
Leader in the Revolutionary party and was a member of the Constitutional Congress. Only reason he didn’t sign the Declaration of Independence was that he was commanding the troops protecting the Hudson areas. The first Governor of New York, he also served as Vice-president. He handled many negotiations with Indians in the treaties made.

James Lawrence
Was the commander of the ship Enterprise and later the Hornet and Chesapeake. Defeated the British ship Peacock before falling in a losing battle with the British frigate, Shannon. He is best known for his classic cry, "Don’t give up the Ship!"

Charles Lee
At the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, Lee was the second ranking major general. He was captured by the British and turned over secret plan to General Howe that showed how to beat the Americans. When he returned, Washington put him in charge at Monmouth but Lee retreated and caused near disastrous results. Court-martialed and found guilty and dismissed. Considered a traitor by most historians.

Thaddeus Kosciusko
Born in Lithuania, Kosciusko came to America and served with the revolutionaries. He was appointed colonel of engineers and supervised the construction of West Point fortifications before being named Brigadier General. Later led rebellion in Poland where he became dictator.

Aaron Burr
Serving on Washington’s staff during the Revolutionary war, after the war and distinguished himself in many battles including Monmouth and Valley Forge. Returning to law, he was attorney general for New York and then U.S. Senator. Was Vice-President to Jefferson. He had a long running feud with Alexander Hamilton which culminated in a duel in which Burr killed Hamilton. His political career over, he led a movement to take over some of the Spanish American territory to create a new country. Tried but acquitted of conspiracy, Burr practiced law in New York after a brief time in England.

Benjamin Lincoln
Commander of the Massachusetts militia at the outbreak of the American Revolution. Became commander of the Army of the South during the war. Elected Secretary of War under the Articles of Confederation and was in command of the troops that put down Shay’s Rebellion. Served as lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts and was a delegate that ratified the Constitution.

Samuel Adams
Member of the Constitutional Congress and signer on Declaration of Independence. Adams was one of the main instigators against the Stamp Act and Sugar Act. He drafted many of the crucial documents prior to independence especially in Massachusetts. Organized the Boston Tea Party as well as the Sons of Liberty. Served in the new Congress before serving as Governor of Massachusetts