Difference between revisions of "George Mason"
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| − | '''George Mason''' was one of the [[Founding Fathers]] of the [[United States of America]]. He was an influential member of the [[Continental Congress]], and a signer of the [[Declaration of Independence]]. He was a [[Virginia]] tobacco planter who grew wealthy using slave labor. | + | '''George Mason''' (1725-1792) was one of the [[Founding Fathers]] of the [[United States of America]]. He was an influential member of the [[Continental Congress]], and a signer of the [[Declaration of Independence]]. He was a [[Virginia]] tobacco planter who grew wealthy using slave labor. |
==Virginia Declaration of Rights 1776== | ==Virginia Declaration of Rights 1776== | ||
| − | Mason wrote the [[Virginia Declaration of Rights]] in 1776; [[Thomas Jefferson]] used it as inspiration for the [[Declaration of Independence. | + | Mason wrote the [[Virginia Declaration of Rights]] in 1776; [[Thomas Jefferson]] used it as inspiration for the [[Declaration of Independence]]. |
The opening philosophical section is closely based on Virginia's "Declaration of Rights," a notable summary of current revolutionary philosophy, and adopted by Virginia in June 1776.<ref> see [http://gunstonhall.org/documents/vdr.html "The Virginia Declaration of Rights," Final Draft, 12 June 1776]</ref> | The opening philosophical section is closely based on Virginia's "Declaration of Rights," a notable summary of current revolutionary philosophy, and adopted by Virginia in June 1776.<ref> see [http://gunstonhall.org/documents/vdr.html "The Virginia Declaration of Rights," Final Draft, 12 June 1776]</ref> | ||
Mason wrote: | Mason wrote: | ||
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In 1788 Mason demanded that the new Constitution include a [[Bill of Rights]]; to secure adoption in Virginia [[James Madison]] agreed, and the Bil of Rights was adopted in 1791. Mason was a close friend of [[George Washington]], but was an [[Antifederalist]] along with [[Patrick Henry]]. | In 1788 Mason demanded that the new Constitution include a [[Bill of Rights]]; to secure adoption in Virginia [[James Madison]] agreed, and the Bil of Rights was adopted in 1791. Mason was a close friend of [[George Washington]], but was an [[Antifederalist]] along with [[Patrick Henry]]. | ||
| − | [[George Mason University]] is named for him. | + | A state university in Virginia [[George Mason University]] is named for him. |
| + | ==Further reading== | ||
| + | * Broadwater, Jeff ''George Mason: Forgotten Founder.'' (2006) | ||
| + | * Miller, Helen Hill. ''George Mason, Constitutionalist.'' (2001). | ||
| + | * Rowland, Kate Mason. ''The Life Of George Mason, 1725-1792.'' (1892). old popular biography [http://books.google.com/books?id=F0F6TuWe_LwC&dq=dogue's+neck&source=gbs_summary_s&cad=0 full text online] | ||
| + | Rutland, Robert A. ''George Mason: Reluctant Statesman'' (1980). | ||
| + | ===Primary sources=== | ||
| + | Rutland, Robert A., et al. eds. ''The papers of George Mason,'' (1970). 3 vols | ||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mason, George}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Mason, George}} | ||
Revision as of 03:25, December 18, 2008
George Mason (1725-1792) was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America. He was an influential member of the Continental Congress, and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was a Virginia tobacco planter who grew wealthy using slave labor.
Virginia Declaration of Rights 1776
Mason wrote the Virginia Declaration of Rights in 1776; Thomas Jefferson used it as inspiration for the Declaration of Independence. The opening philosophical section is closely based on Virginia's "Declaration of Rights," a notable summary of current revolutionary philosophy, and adopted by Virginia in June 1776.[1] Mason wrote:
- That all men are by nature equally free and independent, and have certain inherent rights, of which, when they enter into a state of society, they cannot, by any compact, deprive or divest their posterity; namely, the enjoyment of life and liberty, with the means of acquiring and possessing property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety.
Jefferson rewrote it:
- We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.
In 1788 Mason demanded that the new Constitution include a Bill of Rights; to secure adoption in Virginia James Madison agreed, and the Bil of Rights was adopted in 1791. Mason was a close friend of George Washington, but was an Antifederalist along with Patrick Henry.
A state university in Virginia George Mason University is named for him.
Further reading
- Broadwater, Jeff George Mason: Forgotten Founder. (2006)
- Miller, Helen Hill. George Mason, Constitutionalist. (2001).
- Rowland, Kate Mason. The Life Of George Mason, 1725-1792. (1892). old popular biography full text online
Rutland, Robert A. George Mason: Reluctant Statesman (1980).
Primary sources
Rutland, Robert A., et al. eds. The papers of George Mason, (1970). 3 vols