George Mason of Gunston Hall was a scholarly craftsman of government during America's crucial formative years. His Virginia Declaration of Rights provided a sense of purpose and direction to the rebellious colonies, and his vigorous insistence on the protection of personal liberties in the Constitution is reflected in the document's first ten amendments, the Bill of Rights. Fellow Virginian Thomas Jefferson said of Mason that he "was of the first order of greatness." Few Americans who have served their country, however, have met with as little recognition. Essentially a private person who cared nothing for political prestige, Mason had been overshadowed by the other founders of the Republic -- although most of them had turned to him for advice and direction. In a concise, cogently written biography, a distinguished historian restores the "reluctant statesman" to his proper place in the pantheon of America's greatest citizens.
As would Gunston Hall, Truro Parish became one of the constants of Mason's life. He remained on the vestry until 1785, and he served four separate terms as a church warden.34 As a member of the Truro vestry in the established church, ...
Broadwater shows that Mason was often driven by concerns about the abuse of political power, which went to the essence of the American experience. This is the first full biography of George Mason (1725-92) in a quarter-century.
Illustrations. This is the first full biography of George Mason (1725-92) in a quarter-century.
The Legacy of George Mason
The life of George Mason, 1725-1792
George Mason IV was an American Patriot, statesman and a delegate from Virginia to the U.S. Constitutional Convention. Along with James Madison, he is called the "Father of the United...
George Mason of Virginia
In this enterprise Ross was associated with Richard Henderson, the brother of Mason's friend Alexander Henderson, and with Samuel Beall Jr. His interest in western Maryland acreage was well known. When he learned from a frontiersman in ...
Commemorates the life and work of George Mason, the principal author of the Virginia Declaration of Rights and signer of the Declaration of Independence.
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.