Velociworld

Teddy Roosevelt wrote what was, for quite some time, the definitive biography of Morris.
That said, my favorite founding father is probably that bastard Hamilton. So many of his power-mad ideas made their way into our form of government, not the least of which was his (then controversial) idea for a central bank. Were he alive today, he'd be delighted at how badly we've blown our budget.

Now, I think Hamilton was a Big G government guy. As opposed to Jefferson's states' rights approach. Madison understood the federalism bridge, the need for a strong federal government with vigorous states' rights. Plus, Hamilton was a Creole bastard.

I'm all for giving it to the French, so that's why Ben Franklin is my favorite Founding Father. He took "wind baths," naked on his balcony in 1780 Philidelphia.

That's a man after my own heart.

After reading the John Adams bio, it's a cinch that's who my answer will be. He had his fingers in everything, and did more than most people ever realize to get us independent and then make it work afterward.

Hands down - George Washington.

I think that he is sadly overlooked in modern America. In many ways Washington has become a characture.

He was a truly great man who did the unthinkable - gave up power.

The way John and Abigail Adams adored each other and were true partners is pretty damn cool. Ben Franklin's incorrigibility. Thomas Jefferson's vision. George Washington's greatness--there is no better word for him. America was blessed to have so many men of genius to midwife us into being. It's damn near impossible to pick just one.

Hello: Though my actual answer would be John Adams (for the reasons already stated by others) I have a natural bias for CAESAR RODNEY, congressional delegate from Delaware (the guy on the back of their quarter). That's because I am related to him through one of his brothers (Caesar died childless). His story is something along the lines of a "Paul Revere's Ride." There were three delegates from Delaware: Col Thomas McKean (FOR independence); George Read (AGAINST independence); and Caesar. When the vote on independence was slated, Caesar was off in southern Delaware drumming up support and supervising military operations. (He was, among many other things, a Brigadier in the Delaware Militia.) Alerted that the vote was to take place the next day, Caesar rode all night through a thunderstorm to arrive on time in Philadelphia. He arrived in time to break the tie in Delaware's delegation and solidify the vote for independence. Caesar eventually became "President" (governor) of Delaware and held numerous other offices, but unfortunately died in 1783 due to cancer. His life may have been prolonged had he been able to seek medical treatments from doctors in Great Britain, but his support for the cause of American independence made that impossible. His contributions to liberty, though perhaps not as flashy as some of the better known founders, were just as great.

All great answers! I'm impressed with the thought that went into this. Much appreciated.

I agree with Mapchic - it has to be George Washington. One could argue that the American revolution and the form of self-government we have today *could* have been achieved if you remove any of the more notorious founding fathers. EXCEPT Washington. No George, no USA.

Furthermore, Washington was the first (and only) noteworthy statesman since Cincinnatus (in Rome) to leave the trappings of power behind and return to private life. Look at the leader of any revolution before or since - Napoleon, Hitler, Lenin, Pol Pot, etc. - and NONE of them ceded power willingly. Only Washington.

It may seem strange to hear, but I think Washington is one of the most underrated historical figures of all time.

booooooo

I'm a little taken aback with the comment regarding Hamilton being "creole bastard". What does that have to do with an intelligent discussion about his many contributions to the country we live in today? If it wasn't for his dedication to the idea of a central governement and the writing of the majority of the Federalist Papers, the Constitution may never have been ratified and we wouldn't be the "United States".