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[[File:Gilbert Stuart Portrait of George Washington.jpg|thumb|Portrait of George Washington by [[Gilbert Stuart]].]]'''The Founding Fathers ''' are the leaders who founded the [[United States]], especially the 40 dignitaries who signed the U.S. Constitution at the Constitutional Convention of 1787, and the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence. Historians consider the most important founders to include [[John Adams]], [[Samuel Adams]], [[Benjamin Franklin]], [[Alexander Hamilton]], [[Thomas Jefferson]], [[James Madison]], and [[George Washington]]. Each has been studied Washington is known for his leadership and honesty; Hamilton for his brilliance; John Adams for his morality; Franklin for his inventiveness; Madison for his scholarship; and Jefferson for his egalitarianism.  The 55 initial participants—all of whom would be considered "Founders" in depththe broad sense of the term—wrote 15,000 articles, books and other materials. Historians speak A study found that the [[Bible]] comprised 34% of Franklintheir direct quotations. They particularly liked quoting the [[Book of Deuteronomy]]. The last surviving member of the signers of the Declaration was [[Charles Carroll of Carrollton]], and the last surviving Founding Father was [[James Madison]].<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=HGkXMM-CXxMC&pg=PA87 Virginia's wide-ranging geniusHistoric Homes and Gardens]</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=MlNWU1e9ppUC&pg=PA181 The American Presidents, Washington's charismatic leadershipto Tyler]</ref> ==Republicanism==The Founding Fathers sought "Honor"—freedom from corruption, Jefferson's paradoxical egalitarianismand a positive devotion to civic virtue. These were key elements of [[Republicanism]], Madison's brilliant constitutionalism and the Founding Fathers made republicanism the core values of the American system of government.  [[Corruption]] was the great evil the Founding Fathers confronted. When Britain showed too much corruption, it was time to break free with the [[American Revolution]]. To overcome the temptations of corruption—such as luxury and bribery—in their own lives, the Founding Fathers cultivated the virtue of disinterestedness. That is, the made a conscious effort to not be the creature of his financial interests, and not give any sign to the public that they sought luxury or bribes. The goal was to be impartial, concerned only for the public good, not the advancement of friends or, still less, of party.  Even personal shame and humiliation was preferable to a tarnished honor or the hint of corruption. When Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton's ambitious state-buildingwas accused of corruption for making secret payments to a man named James Reynolds, Hamilton revealed he had been set up and Adamswas paying blackmail to Reynolds following an affair with Mrs. Reynolds. Duels over honor were common in the era—Hamilton was killed in one, as was Hamilton's quirkinessson.

*[[Thomas Heyward, Jr.]]

*[[Stephen Hopkins (politician)|Stephen Hopkins]]

*[[Samuel Huntington (statesmansigner)|Samuel Huntington]]

*[[Robert Morris (merchant)|Robert Morris]]*[[John Morton (Pennsylvania)|John Morton]]

*[[John Penn (delegate)|John Penn]]

*[[George Read (signer)|George Read]]

*[[George Ross (delegate)|George Ross]]

*[[James Smith (political figuresigner)|James Smith]]

*[[George Taylor (delegate)|George Taylor]]

*[[William Williams (signer)|William Williams]]

*[[Pierce Butler (Founding Father)|Pierce Butler]]

*[[John Dickinson (congressman)|John Dickinson]]

*[[Robert Morris (merchant)|Robert Morris]]

== References Further reading== * Ellis, Joseph J. ''Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation'' (2002), good overview of leading figures by top scholar [http://www.archivesamazon.govcom/exhibitsFounding-Brothers-Revolutionary-Joseph-Ellis/chartersdp/charters.html The Constitution from the National Archives0375705244/ref=cm_lmf_img_5_rdssss0 excerpt and text search]* McClanahan, Brion. ''The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Founding Fathers'' (2009), popular book by conservative writer. [http://www.foundingfathersamazon.infocom/documentsPolitically-Incorrect-Founding-Fathers-Guides/constitutiondp/1596980923/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1251266508&sr=8-1 excerpt and text search]* Wood, Gordon.html The Constitution of ''Revolutionary Characters: What Made the United States of AmericaFounders Different'' (2007), very good overview by leading conservative scholar [http://books.google.com/books?id=uOovRxek5AIC&dq=intitle:Revolutionary+intitle:Characters+inauthor:wood&lr=&as_drrb_is=q&as_minm_is=0&as_miny_is=&as_maxm_is=0&as_maxy_is=&num=30&as_brr=0 excerpt and text search]

*[[Gallery of American Heroes]] == External Links References =={{reflist|1}}

=== Founding Fathers Quotes === 

[[Category:Early National U.S.Pro Second Amendment]][[Category:People Associated with Firearms]][[Category:American Gun Rights Advocates]][[Category:United States History Figures]][[Category:Patriots]]