George Read (American politician, born 1733) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George Read
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| Chief Justice of Delaware | |
| In office September 30, 1793 – September 21, 1798 |
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| Preceded by | William Killen |
| Succeeded by | Kensey Johns |
| United States Senator from Delaware |
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| In office March 4, 1789 – September 18, 1793 |
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| Preceded by | new office |
| Succeeded by | Henry Latimer |
| 3rd President of Delaware | |
| In office October 20, 1777 – March 31, 1778 |
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| Preceded by | Thomas McKean |
| Succeeded by | Caesar Rodney |
| Continental Congressman from Delaware |
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| In office August 2, 1774 – December 17, 1777 |
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| Preceded by | new office |
| Succeeded by | Caesar Rodney |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 18, 1733 Cecil County, Province of Maryland |
| Died | September 21, 1798 (aged 65) New Castle, Delaware |
| Resting place | Immanuel Episcopal Churchyard, New Castle |
| Political party | Federalist |
| Spouse | Gertrude Ross Till |
| Residence | New Castle, Delaware |
| Profession | lawyer |
| Signature |  |
George Read (born September 18, 1733 – died September 21, 1798) was an important American leader from New Castle, Delaware. He was one of the people who helped create the United States. He served as a representative for Delaware in the Continental Congress. He also helped write the U.S. Constitution in 1787. Later, he became the president of Delaware. He was also a U.S. Senator and the chief justice of Delaware.
George Read is known as one of the Founding Fathers. He was one of only two people who signed four very important documents that shaped American history. These were the Petition to the King (1774), the Continental Association, the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution of the United States.
Contents
George Read's Family Background
George Read was the son of John and Mary (Howell) Read. His father, John Read, was born in Dublin, Ireland. John Read came to the American colonies and started new businesses in Maryland and Delaware.
Soon after arriving in America, John Read bought a large piece of land in Cecil County, Maryland. He also helped start the city of Charlestown. This city was meant to be a new trading center. He also helped develop iron works in the area. John Read held several military jobs during his life. Later, he lived on his farm in New Castle County.
George Read's Early Life and Career
George Read was born in Cecil County, Maryland, on September 18, 1733. When he was a baby, his family moved to New Castle County, Delaware. He went to school with Thomas McKean at an academy in New London, Pennsylvania. After that, he studied law in Philadelphia. He became a lawyer in 1753. A year later, he opened his own law practice in New Castle.
In 1763, he married Gertrude Ross Till. She was the daughter of a church leader and the sister of George Ross. George Ross also signed the Declaration of Independence later on. George and Gertrude had four children: John, George Jr., William, and Mary. They lived in New Castle and were members of the Immanuel Episcopal Church.
In 1763, the governor of Delaware appointed Read as the top lawyer for the three Delaware counties. He worked in this job until 1774. He also served in the Colonial Assembly for twelve years, from 1764 to 1776.
George Read and the American Revolution
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During the 1700s, people in Delaware had different political ideas. Some were in the "Court Party" and wanted to get along with the British government. Others were in the "Country Party" and wanted independence from Britain. George Read was often a leader of the Court Party. This meant he sometimes disagreed with Caesar Rodney and Thomas McKean, who wanted independence.
Like many people in Delaware, Read first wanted to solve problems with Great Britain peacefully. He did not like the Stamp Act or other unfair laws from Britain. However, he was careful about seeking full independence. Even so, he was chosen to represent Delaware in the First and Second Continental Congress from 1774 to 1777.
When the Congress voted on American Independence on July 2, 1776, Read voted against it. This was a surprise to many. To make sure Delaware voted for independence, Caesar Rodney had to ride all night to Philadelphia. But even though Read was cautious, he signed the Declaration of Independence when it was officially adopted.
Leading Delaware's Government
Before the Declaration of Independence was even signed, Delaware's government decided to separate from Britain. This happened on June 15, 1776. After the Declaration was adopted, Delaware held elections for a special meeting to write a new state constitution. Read was chosen for this meeting and became its president. He helped pass the document that became the Delaware Constitution of 1776.
Read was also elected to Delaware's first Legislative Council. He became the speaker in 1776 and 1777. When the state's president, John McKinly, was captured by the British, Read became the acting president on October 20, 1777. He served until March 31, 1778. During this time, the British controlled Philadelphia and the Delaware River. Read worked hard to get more soldiers and protect Delaware from attacks.
After his time as president, Read continued to serve in the Legislative Council. He also served in the House of Assembly. In 1782, he was chosen as a judge for the Court of Appeals.
Helping Create the U.S. Constitution
Read was called to national service again in 1786. He represented Delaware at the Annapolis Convention. This meeting led to a bigger meeting in Philadelphia the next year, which became the Constitutional Convention. At this convention, Read again represented Delaware.
Read strongly believed in creating a new, strong national government. He said that trying to fix the old Articles was like "putting old cloth on a new garment." He fought for a powerful central government. He also worked hard to protect the rights of smaller states like Delaware. He warned that Delaware would become "a cipher in the union" if small states didn't have equal representation.
Once the rights of small states were guaranteed, Read helped lead the effort to approve the new Constitution in Delaware. Because of his work, Delaware was the very first state to approve the Constitution, and they did it unanimously!
Serving as a U.S. Senator
After the U.S. Constitution was approved, the Delaware General Assembly chose Read to be one of its first U.S. Senators. He started his term on March 4, 1789. He was reelected in 1791. He supported important national policies like paying off state debts and creating a national bank. He resigned from the Senate on September 18, 1793. He left to become the chief justice of the Delaware Supreme Court. He served as chief justice until he passed away.
Death and Legacy
George Read died in New Castle on September 21, 1798, due to heart problems. He is buried in the Immanuel Episcopal Church Cemetery there.
People who knew him described Read as tall and graceful. He had a serious but polite manner. He was known for his deep legal knowledge, good judgment, and honesty. Historians agree that Read was a very important leader in Delaware politics. He provided steady leadership for the new state.
His home, Stonum, is a historic landmark. There is also a school in New Castle and a dorm at the University of Delaware named after him.
In Popular Culture
In the Broadway musical 1776, George Read is a small character. He is shown as a proper and conservative person. He sometimes has trouble getting along with the other two Delaware representatives. These other representatives strongly supported independence.
George Read's Family
George Read had two brothers who also served during the American Revolution. His brother Thomas was an officer in the Continental Navy. His brother James was an officer in the Continental Army. George Read's son, George Read Jr., became the first U.S. Attorney for Delaware. His grandson, George Read III, was the second. Another son, John, was a well-known lawyer and banker in Philadelphia.
Images for kids
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George Read's signature
