Who do you consider to be among the most influential of the founding fathers?
Benjamin FranklinTo go along with the Fourth of July fireworks, here is a quick history lesson on five key figures in the United States’ battle for independence. The five chosen below never served as U.S. president.
Thomas Paine – Author of the persuasive pamphlet Common Sense, which called for rebellion in 1776.
Patrick Henry – Pushed for the inclusion of the Bill of Rights in the U.S. Constitution.
Benjamin Franklin – Helped draft the Declaration of Independence. Later, he negotiated the Treaty of Paris that ended the Revolutionary War.
Samuel Adams – One of the founders of the Sons of Liberty. He helped organize the Boston Tea Party.
John Hancock – As president of the Continental Congress, he was the first to sign the Declaration of Independence.