John Dickinson

The Founders and the Constitution: John Dickinson

by Rob Natelson | Jul 22, 2023 | Constitution, John Dickinson

Like James Madison, the subject of the last essay in this series, John Dickinson was one of those Founders about whom it could be said, “Without him, we probably would not have a Constitution.” However, Madison’s contribution is justly renown, while Dickinson’s has...

Liberty, Power, Precedent and the People

by Michael Boldin | Dec 21, 2022 | Founding Principles, John Dickinson

While most people have never heard his name today, Founding Father John Dickinson was famous at the time of the Revolution. In 1767, he authored the 12 “Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania” in response to the hated Townshend Acts. These essays quickly became the...

Liberty Without Tumult: Understanding the Politics of John Dickinson

by TJ Martinell | Oct 24, 2022 | American Revolution, John Dickinson

John Dickinson is among America’s “Forgotten Founders.” Despite authoring the most widely-read documents on American liberty before 1776, representing Pennsylvania at the Second Continental Congress, and being a primary author of the Articles of Confederation, many...

John Dickinson Put His Money Where His Mouth Was

by Mike Maharrey | Jul 27, 2022 | American Revolution, John Dickinson

It’s one thing to talk about fighting for liberty. It’s another thing to put your money where your mouth is. John Dickinson did just that. Despite his refusal to sign the Declaration of Independence, he was one of the few members of the First or Second...

Today in History: First Draft of the Articles of Confederation Introduced

by Mike Maharrey | Jul 12, 2022 | Articles of Confederation, John Dickinson

On this date in 1776, John Dickinson presented the first draft of the Articles of Confederation to the Continental Congress. Congress began considering a plan for a new government even before declaring independence. On June 7, 1776, following instructions from...

Today in History: Articles of Confederation Officially Ratified

by Dave Benner | Mar 1, 2021 | Articles of Confederation, Founding Principles, John Dickinson

Today in History, on March 1, 1781, the states adopted the Articles of Confederation, putting into operation the first constitution for the United States. In July of 1776, the Continental Congress passed the Richard Henry Lee Resolution and adopted the Declaration of...

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