John Hancock was an 18th century U.S. merchant who was president of the Continental Congress and the first person to sign the Declaration of Independence.

The fourth U.S. president, James Madison believed in a robust yet balanced federal government and is known as the "Father of the Constitution."

John Adams was a Founding Father, the first vice president of the United States and the second president. His son, John Quincy Adams, was the nation's sixth president.

Benjamin Franklin is best known as one of the Founding Fathers who drafted the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States.

George Washington was a leader of the Continental Army in the American Revolution, and was the first to become U.S. president.

Patrick Henry was a brilliant orator and a major figure of the American Revolution, perhaps best known for his words "Give me liberty or give me death!"

Thomas Jefferson was a draftsman of the Declaration of Independence and the third U.S. president (1801-09). He was also responsible for the Louisiana Purchase.

Alexander Hamilton, a delegate to the Constitutional Convention and major author of the Federalist papers, was the United States' first secretary of the treasury.

Thomas Paine was an English American writer and pamphleteer whose "Common Sense" and other writings influenced the American Revolution, and helped pave the way for the Declaration of Independence.

American Founding Father Samuel Adams helped organize the Boston Tea Party and signed the U.S. Declaration of Independence.

Richard Henry Lee was an American statesman from Virginia who made the motion for independence from Great Britain at the Second Continental Congress.

Charles Cotesworth Pinckney was an American Revolutionary War veteran, South Carolina legislator and two-time presidential candidate.

Often referred to as the "penman of the Revolution," John Dickinson was an American statesman, delegate to the Continental Congress and one of the writers of the Articles of Confederation.

The fifth president of the United States, James Monroe is known for his "Monroe Doctrine," disallowing further European colonization in the Americas.

Charles Carroll was a Maryland delegate to the Continental Congress and a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

John Witherspoon came to the burgeoning United States to become president of what would become Princeton University, and he ended up helping to shape the country.

An ardent supporter of the American Revolution, Francis Hopkinson signed the Declaration of Independence and may have designed the U.S. flag.

William Findley's long political career began after the Revolutionary War. He believed in limiting the power of government in order to protect people's rights.

Georges Wythe is best known for his work as an early American judge and law professor to future presidents, including Thomas Jefferson.

James Wilson was a Supreme Court associate justice. He signed both the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence.

Connecticut statesman Roger Sherman signed the Continental Association, the Articles of Confederation, Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution, and served in the Continental Congress and both houses of the U.S. legislature.

Benjamin Rush is best known for his political activities during the American Revolution, including signing the Declaration of Independence.

Charles Pinckney was an American founding father, governor of South Carolina and signer of the U.S. Constitution.

William Paterson was an accomplished American statesman who served in Congress, on the Supreme Court and as governor of New Jersey.