BENJAMIN RUSH was born in Pennsylvania, and is known widely as a signer of the Declaration of Independence. As a student at Princeton (and later Edinburgh), he studied medicine, and wrote numerous essays on medical theory and anatomy. He became a leading authority on American medicine, and trained several notables studied medicine under him, including James McHenry and David Hosack. Because of his notable discoveries, he became known as the "Father of American Medicine."
He also had an interest in politics, social activism, and education. He wrote textbooks on social morals, political causes, and schools. He advocated the abolition of slavery (co-founding the first American abolition society with Benjamin Franklin in 1774), equal education rights for women (establishing the first-ever American college for women), Christian education (co-founded Dickinson College) and the general use of the Bible in schools. He also was a leading founder of the first American Bible Society, in Philadelphia.
Many of the Founding Fathers, even those who disagreed with him on matters of policy and medicine, highly respected Benjamin Rush. His group of friends was highly diverse, for he had the ability to keep his personal friendships clean of political strife. His close circle of friends included John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, and John Witherspoon.
Medical Inquiries and Observations (1805)
- Volume I
- Volume II
- Volume III
- Volume IV
- Medical Inquiries and Observations on Diseases of the Mind, 5th Edition (1835)
- Essays: Literary, Moral, Philosophical (1806)
- A Memorial containing Travels Through Life or Sundry Incidents in the Life of Dr. Benjamin Rush, Written by Himself; also Extracts from His Commonplace Book as well as a Short History of the Rush Family in Pennsylvania by Louis Alexander Biddle (1905)
- An Inquiry into the Effects of Ardent Spirits upon the Human Body and Mind (1823)
- An Inquiry into the Influence of Physical Causes upon the Moral Faculty, delivered before the American Philosophical Society, held at Philadelphia, February 27, 1786 (1839)
- Old Family Letters relating to the Yellow Fever, Series B (1892) [contains the letters of Benjamin Rush, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Alexander Biddle]
THE FEDERALIST PAPERS were written by Alexander Hamilton (who formulated the idea to write the series), James Madison, and John Jay (both of whom Hamilton selected to help him). The Federalist Papers not only ably served their purpose in defending the Constitution, but in explaining its passages and intent. It continues to be widely acknowledged as one of (if not the) most authoritative writings on the Constitution.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN was born in Massachuesetts, but ran away during his youth to Pennsylvania, which he adopted as his home for the remainder of his life. Franklin is famous for his writing and ingenious inventions, as an entrepreneur, statesman, and diplomat. He helped frame the Pennsylvania Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the United States Constitution, and signed the latter two. In addition to serving as a delegate to congressional bodies and committees, he served as a foreign diplomat during the War for Independence, and helped win America's favor before the French government. He also recommended for the Continental Army foreign veterans like Marquis de Lafayette and Baron von Steuben, who helped the American cause.
- The Electric Ben Franklin (database of his writings)
- The Papers of Ben Franklin (searchable database of his correspondence, etc.)
- The Autobiography of Ben Franklin
JOHN DICKINSON was born in Maryland, to a Quaker family, who soon moved to Delaware and Pennsylvania. He was a delegate to the Continental Congress, and while he is known for his pamphlets explaining the rights of Americans, he refused to sign the Declaration of Independence, fearing that America would be divided and destroyed from within, without the uniting power of Great Britain. However, he served as a militia officer during the War, on the American side. He is the author of "The Liberty Song." After the Revolution, he participated in the Constitutional Convention as a delegate from New Jersey, and he signed the Constitution which that gathering produced.
- An Essay on the Constitutional Powers of Great Britain over the Colonies of America; with the Resolves of the Committee for the Province of Pennsylvania, and their instructions to their Representatives in Assembly (1774)
- Political Writings of John Dickinson (1801); volume 1, volume 2
- Digital Collections of Dickinson's Writings from Dickinson College
- Pamphlets on the Constitution of the United States (ed. Paul L. Ford)
- Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania (Dickinson) v. Letters from a Federal Farmer (R. H. Lee) (ed. Forrest McDonald)
The Constitutional Convention of 1787 met in the city of Philadelphia, in the very room where the Declaration of Independence had been signed eleven years earlier. It was attended by 55 delegates from all of the original thirteen united states, Rhode Island excepted. This Convention produced the United States Constitution, which was signed by 39 of the delegates on September 17, 1787. Below are the records of the debates, the notes taken by the several delegates of the Convention, and other records of the documents which led up the Constitution of the United States of America.
- The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787 (edited by Max Farrand), 3 volumes
- Debates in the Several State Conventions on the Adoption of the Federal Constitution (edited by Jonathan Elliot), 4 volumes
- Letters of the Delegates to Congress
- A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U. S. Congressional Documents and Sessions (1774-1875)
- Library of Congress: American Memory
- The Avalon Project at Yale Law School: The American Constitution
- U. S. Constitution Online (website)
- Notes of the Convention (by delegate; Madison's Notes by day)
- Sketches of the Delegates, by Delegate William Pierce of Georgia
- United States Constitution (Federali.st)
- The Federalist Papers (coming soon!)
- The Anti-Federalist Papers (coming soon!)
EDMUND BURKE was a member of the British Parliament, well-known for his support for the cause of the American colonies before and during the American Revolutionary War, and his strong opposition to the French Revolution. He is a widely-acknowledged influence on the ideals of American conservatism.
The Works of the Right Honorable Edmund Burke
ELIAS BOUDINOT was an American Founding Father from New Jersey. He was one of the Presidents of the Second Continental Congress, as well as an influential delegate from New Jersey in Congress. He was a mentor of Founder Alexander Hamilton, with whom he frequently corresponded, along with other noted Founders. He was the brother-in-law of Richard Stockton (signer of the Declaration of Independence), a trustee of Princeton University, and the First President of the American Bible Society. his writings are a history of his deep involvement in the Founding, and of the Founding Era in general.
- Works by Elias Boudinot (Internet Archive)
- The Age of Revelation (1801)
- The Second Advent (1815)
- A Star in the West (1816)
- Journal, Or, Historical Recollections of American Events during the Revolutionary War (Google Books)
WILLIAM BRADFORD was governor of Plymouth Plantation in what is now the state of Massachusetts. He was a leader of the Separatist congregation, known as the Pilgrims, who arrived on the shores of Cape Cod in 1620. William Bradford recorded the history of this congregation and of Plymouth Plantation, which was one of the first American settlements in the northern colonies, and the group of men and women which framed the Mayflower Compact, an early American founding document.
- Bradford's History of Plymouth Plantation (The Massachusetts Historical Society, 1912)
- The History of Plymouth Plantation (1620-1647), volume 1 and volume 2
- Selections from Early American Writers: William Bradford
SIR WILLIAM BLACKSTONE was a famed English jurist, known most for his four-volume Commentaries on the Laws of England, which are widely recognized as the British common law (which had previously been oral) in written form. In the years preceding and during the American Founding Era (1760-1805), Blackstone's Commentaries were one of the most widely-read volumes in America. They were one of the few sources quoted most-often by the Founding Fathers (along with the Bible, Montesquieu, and Locke), and they all widely recommended their perusal. For generations after the Founding, Blackstone's Commentaries, along with the Bible, were required reading in American law schools.
- Commentaries on the Laws of England (Avalon Project)
- Commentaries on the Laws of England (LONANG)
FRANCIS BACON of England was one of the famed writers of the Enlightenment period whose works were read widely across Europe, and in America. He was quoted by several of the Founders, and Thomas Jefferson considered him one of the three greatest minds the world ever produced (Jefferson ranked Bacon along with Isaac Newton and John Locke).
FISHER AMES is best known as the one who drafted the final version of the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights. He was a native of Massachusetts, a Federalist member of the U. S. Congress where he represented his state. Ames had an extensive correspondence with several distinguished Founding Fathers, including John Adams, John Jay, and Alexander Hamilton.
- The Works of Fisher Ames, Complied by a Number of His Friends, to which are prefixed, Notices of His Life and Character (by John Thornton Kirkland, 1869)
- The Works of Fisher Ames (edited by his son Seth Ames), volume I and volume II
SAMUEL ADAMS is known as the "Father of the American Revolution," for he organized the resistance to British tyranny in New England, forming the "Sons of Liberty," "The Committees of Correspondence," and was a ring-leader of the Boston Tea Party. It is he who coined one of the famous cries of the Revolution: "No taxation without representation!" His writings are a history of the cause, progress, and ideals of the American Revolution.
The Writings of Samuel Adams (edited by Henry Alonzo Cushing, 1904-1908)
ABIGAIL ADAMS was the wife of John Adams and John Quincy Adams. During the time that her husband was founding the United States, she wrote volumes of letters full of history, insight, personal information, and wisdom to her husband and to other figures. Her letters provide a huge insight into the times in which she lived and wisdom advanced for her time.
- Letters of Mrs. Adams, the Wife of John Adams (Google Books)
- Familiar Letters of John Adams and His Wife Abigail Adams, during the Revolution (Google Books)
- Select Letters of Abigail Adams from 1761-1816 (Family Tales)
- New Letters of Abigail Adams (Internet Archive)
- Memoir of Mrs. Adams, by Charles Francis Adams (Internet Archive)
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS was a true son of the American Revolution. His father was John Adams, American Founding Father and statesman, and his mother was Abigail Adams, correspondent and writer. John Quincy Adams served with his father in foreign courts, as well as in the House of Representatives and as President. His writings are a rich legacy of the generation which proceeded from the Founding Fathers, and his words are the account of a man who grew up in the midst of the founding and lived to tell the proceeding generations about it.
- Selections from his Diary (Massachusetts Historical Society)
- Printed Voluminous Works (Internet Archive)
- Select Letters from 1779 -1831 (Family Tales)
- Poems of Religion and Society: with notices of his life and character (Making of America)
- Writings of John Quincy Adams (Google Books)
This is a plan for some updating I plan to do on this blog when I have the opportunity, that is, plenty of time to write and organize. But I don't think that I do today. Let me simply outline what I plan to do.
- Make a list of old books which are available online, which have helped me in my research, and which, I am sure, will be of help to others.
- Instead of having a single post with the writings of the Founders, I would like to make a directory of names of authors on the side-bar, so that their respective writings are easily accessible to the public. I will have a widget on the sidebar, with names of the various authors listed in alphabetical order by last name, which will lead you directly to a page on this blog that I will prepare for each author. It will have a brief biographical sketch, with some information that makes their writings relevant to the study of the American founding and history.
JOHN ADAMS of Massachusetts, was a Founding Father of the United States of America. He served as a member of the First and Second Continental Congresses. He was one of the members of the Committee of Five that drew up the Declaration of Independence, a document which he also signed. Adams served as foreign minister to several European powers, including Great Britain, France, Holland, and Spain. He was one of the three American diplomats who negotiated the Treaty of Paris (1783) which officially ended the American Revolutionary War. He was first Vice-President of the United States, as well as its second President.
He left his country an invaluable store of writings, which his fellow countrymen would be wise to peruse.
- Autobiography (Massachusetts Historical Society)
- Correspondence with Abigail Adams, from 1762-1801 (Massachusetts Historical Society)
- Diary (Massachusetts Historical Society)
- Selected Writings of John Adams (Founding.com)
- Public Official Messages and Speeches (Avalon Project)
- Published Voluminous Works of John Adams (Internet Archive)
- John Adams Library (Boston Public Library)
Besides this blog, there are other websites that will lead you to a WEALTH of primary sources, old and rare books currently out of print, and digitized manuscripts.
On my blog The Foundation Forum, I have a very long list of links on the left sidebar which are extremely useful for researching original resources. Below, I will list and describe those which contain the most helpful amount of information.
Selected Documents from the American Colonial Era
This is apparently a page from a college history course online for college student studying early colonial history. I link to it, however, because it provides valuable documents from the pre-Revolutionary era, including a pamphlet by William Livingston in defense of the Great Awakening evangelists.
Archiving Early America
Of course, contains many documents from the Founding Era. Also features online videos of classic moments in American Revolutionary history, based upon bona fide documentation.
Avalon Project at Yale Law School
This is one of the most frequently-used sources for original sources on the Internet. In addition to containing the texts of the books which influenced the writing of our Founding Documents, the Founding Documents themselves, the various state constitutions, the Avalon Project also features the notes of the delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention, as well as the speeches and addresses of those of our Founders who became President of the United States.
A Century of Lawmaking (1774-1875)
This is one of the most valuable sources of primary documents made available by the online Library of Congress, American Memory. With this collection, the average individual can search or peruse the debates and proceeding of Congress from its very beginning. Also featured are several works which republished the debates which framed the Constitution, as well as the private and business letters of the delegates to Congress and the Constitutional Convention.
Cornell University Library "Making of America"
This collection hosts a huge collection of works from, about, and after the Founding Era. Though the writings displayed are from the digitized images of books, magazines, newsletters, and pamphlets (and therefore cannot be highlighted with the cursor), Cornell has made it possible for the reader to search the entire collection.
University of Michigan Digital General Collection
The format of this collection is very similar to the Cornell Project above, however, it covers a much broader scope of works. This is a truly valuable resource for finding extremely readable digitized books which have gone long out of print. I use this resource frequently to read or search old biographies or editions of the writings of the Founders, of Presidents, or the diaries and autobiographies of people who lived during those times. This collection spans beyond the Founding Era and into the present.
Gilder-Lehrman Institute of American History
Hosts a collection of digitized letters and prints throughout the span of American history. Transcripts are available for most documents, and the Institute may be contacted via email for more information, or for transcripts of certain documents.
A User's Guide to the Declaration of Independence
Hosts a selection of writings from influential Founding Fathers, as well as the sermons and pamphlets of others who influenced American public thought. Includes key letters by the Founding Fathers on key political issues of their day.
Internet Text Archive
Much of my frustration in being unable to access rare and out-of-print books was relieved when I discovered this website, and how to use it. It features the digital images of books which have hardly seen the light of day for a century. Some of the images are in better condition than others. Each book may be searched individually; HOWEVER, trying to find a key phrase may prove troublesome, because the search engine will locate every place where each of your individual words is found in the book. If you are looking for a quote or passage, I would recommend that you use just one unique word (omit any and all a's, an's the's, etc), and not any phrases.
Laws of Nature and Nature's God
The scholars who host this site seem to be a bit opposed to the "Christian nation" thesis; however, several of the books which influenced our Founders political thought are available here, and so I use their site for research.
Liberty Library of Constitutional Classics
Contains documentary history of American law, which documents are available in a variety of formats. Also includes important writings and key letters of the Founding Fathers.
University of Michigan "Making of America"
A division of the Digital General Collection (see above) which deals specifically with American history.
Online Library of Liberty
This is an increasingly popular source of primary sources, and is hosted by Liberty Fund. In addition to featuring the texts of collections of the Founders' writings, it features the works of other political, philosophical, and economical writers before and after the Founding Era. Also includes the writings of the leaders of the Reformation, as well as the various books of the Bible. Liberty Fund recently added a very convenient search feature to each individual set of writings, as well as to the website.
Primary Source Documents Pertaining to North American History
Fantastic documentary guide to America's Christian and political history.
Project Gutenberg
A website that "publishes" online books of the past and the present; therefore, includes books about and by the Founding Fathers.
Their Own Words
A base of digitized search-able old books and pamphlets, hosted by Dickinson College (founded by Founding Father Benjamin Rush).
Our Documents
Digitized documentary history of American society and law.
English Literature: Restoration and 18th Century
A collection of the works of the leading figures of England before and during the Founding Era.
Footnote
Digitized digital history from Revolution to present.
Justia
A source of selected rulings of and cases before the United States Supreme Court, both from the past and the present.
19th Century Schoolbooks
Learn what education was like after the Founding Era by reading the textbooks in American public schools from the 19th century.
United States History Documents
A documentary history of the United States.
The National Archives
Hosted by the United States National Archives in Washington, D. C.
Supreme Court of the United States
Website of the United States Supreme Court containing information on the Court, its members, and the cases before it presently.
Teaching American History Library
Documents from American history hosted by "Teaching American History."
This Nation Library
Landmark documents, speeches, and Supreme Court cases throughout American history hosted by ThisNation.com.
The U.S. Constitution Online
Information about the Constitution of the United States of America.
I hope this list of resources proves helpful to anyone searching for documents and doing other research. If you need more information, please feel free to ask questions via the comments section, and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
Here, patriots, is the most trustworthy source of the history of the American Founding Era (1760-1805): the Founding Fathers' own writings. They are listed in alphabetical order of the name of the Founding Father. If you are looking for the online writings of a Founding Father or other important historical figure, please leave your question in the "Comments" section below.
Also included in this list are several of the political thinkers and historians from which the Founding Fathers drew some of their ideas.
NOTE: Not all those listed below are to be considered "Founding Fathers," and not all those names listed here presented worthy viewpoints, nor did the Founders quote such writers positively. In this category of infamous philosophers are Thomas Hobbes, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and David Hume, who helped formulate much of the ideas of contemporary humanism, which the Founding Fathers rejected. The names of these men and others are in red.
The reader may also find it helpful that digitized versions of several of the volumes below may be viewed and searched at Google Book Search.
ADAMS, JOHN (1725-1826)
- Autobiography
- Correspondence with Abigail Adams
- Diary (1753-1804)
- Letters, Tracts, and Essays
- Public Speeches and Addresses
- Works and Correspondence
ADAMS, SAMUEL (1723-1803)
- Writings, volume one
- Writings, volume two
- Writings, volume three
- Writings, volume four
BACON, FRANCIS (1561-1626)
BLACKSTONE, SIR WILLIAM (1723-1780)
BRADFORD, WILLIAM (1590-1659)
BOUDINOT, ELIAS (1740-1821)
BURKE, EDMUND (1729-1797)
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION OF 1787
- Library of Congress
- Max Farrand's Records of the Debates
- Elliot's Debates
- Letters of the Delegates
- A Century of Lawmaking
- Foundational Documents & notes by the delegates
FRANKLIN, BENJAMIN (1706-1790)
THE FEDERALIST PAPERS
GIBBON, EDWARD (1737-1794)
GROTIUS, HUGO (1583-1645)
HAMILTON, ALEXANDER (1757?-1804)
- Works (edited by Henry Cabot Lodge; 12 volumes)
- Works and Correspondence (edited by John Church Hamilton; 7 volumes)
- The Papers of Alexander Hamilton (ed. by Syrett and Cooke), vol. 4, vol. 6, vol. 7, vol. 8, vol. 17, vol. 19, vol. 20, vol. 21, vol. 23, vol. 24, vol. 25, vol. 26
- History of the Republic of the United States as Traced in the Writings of Alex. Hamilton and His Contemporaries, by John Church Hamilton, vol. 1, vol. 2, vol. 3, vol. 4, vol. 5, vol. 6, vol. 7
HAMMURABI (1810-1750 B.C.)
HENRY, PATRICK (1736-1799)
HOBBES, THOMAS (1588-1679)
HOOKER, RICHARD (1554-1600)
HUME, DAVID (1711-1776)
JAY, JOHN (1745-1829)
- Papers
- Memorials of Peter A. Jay for His Descendants, by John Jay
- Life and Writings of John Jay, with Selections from his Correspondence, by William Jay, vol. 1, vol 2
JOURNALS OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS
JEFFERSON, THOMAS (1743-1826)
- Library of Congress Collection
- University of Virginia Collection
- Letters, Tracts, and Essays
- Voluminous Letters and Correspondence
- Works NEW!!!
LEE, RICHARD HENRY (1732-1794)
LOCKE, JOHN (1632-1704)
MADISON, JAMES (1751-1836)
MARSHALL, JOHN (1755-1835)
- The Life of George Washington (5 volumes)
- Life of John Marshall, by Albert J. Beveridge, vol. 1, vol. 2, vol. 3, vol. 4
MASON, GEORGE (1725-1792)
MASON, REVEREND JOHN MITCHELL (1770-1829)
- Complete Works
- "The Claims of Episcopacy Refuted," by Rev. John Mitchell Mason
MILTON, JOHN (1608-1764)
MONTESQUIEU, BARON de CHARLES (1689-1755)
MORRIS, GOUVERNEUR (1752-1816)
- Diary and Letters (2 volumes)
- Biography by Theodore Roosevelt
NEW YORK MANUMISSION SOCIETY PAPERS
PAINE, THOMAS (1737-1809)
PENN, WILLIAM (1644-1718)
PLATO (428-348 B. C.)
PLUTARCH (46-127 A. D.)
PUFENDORF, SAMUEL (1623-1694)
RAMSAY, DR. DAVID (1745-1819)
ROUSSEAU, JEAN-JACQUES (1712-1778)
RUSH, DR. BENJAMIN (1745-1813)
SMITH, ADAM (1723-1790)
STORY, CHIEF-JUSTICE JOSEPH (1779-1845)
de TOQUEVILLE, ALEXIS (1805-1859)
de VATTEL, EMERICH (1714-1767)
WARREN, MERCY OTIS (1728-1814)
WASHINGTON, GEORGE (1732-1799)
- Manuscript Papers (LOC)
- Papers (Avalon Project)
- Papers (University of Virginia)
- Writings (edited by Fitzpatrick)
- Public Writings (Founders' Library)
- Writings (edited by Jared Sparks; vol. 1, vol. 2, vol. 3, vol. 4, vol. 5, vol. 6, vol. 7, vol. 8, vol. 9, vol. 10, vol. 11, vol. 12)
- On Editing Washington's Papers (by Jared Sparks)
- "Daily Sacrifice" (Washington's personal prayer journal)
- George Washington's Journal
WEBSTER, NOAH (1758-1843)
- Works
- Translation of the Holy Bible
- Pamphlets
- Search-able Unabridged Dictionary (1828 and 1913 versions)
WITHERSPOON, REVEREND JOHN (1723-1794)
- "Dominion of Providence over the Passions of Men" (Sermon)
- Essay on Money
- Works of Dr. John Witherspoon (Edited by Rev. Dr. John Rodgers); volume 1, volume 2, volume 3, volume 4 NEW!!!
Miscellaneous:
- "Empire and Nation" (Lee and Dickinson)
- "The American Republic: Primary Sources"
- "The Founders' Constitution"
- "Christianity and the United States," by John Franklin Goucher
- "Liberty and Order: The First American Party Struggle"
- "Political Sermons from the Founding Era" (2 volumes)
- Letters, Tracts, and Essays of other individual Founders
- Treaties of the U. S. with the Barbary Pirates (includes several versions of the Treaty of Tripoli)
If any of these links are broken are outdated, please inform me in the comments section below. Your input is greatly appreciated.
(When this page was displayed on Heritage Weekly, a blog which I deleted on 9/26/07, several visitors left comments, and it became a brief discussion. I think that these comments are worth preserving. I re-posted those comments on the "Comments" section on this post.)
