- March 6, 1809, 217 years ago — Death of Thomas Heyward Jr..
- March 6, 1724, 302 years ago — Birth of Henry Laurens, President of the Continental Congress.
- March 7, 1707, 319 years ago — Birth of Stephen Hopkins, signer of the Declaration of Independence.
- March 7, 1699, 327 years ago — Birth of Susanna Boylston Adams, mother of John Adams.
Biographies & Autobiographies
The lives of America’s Founders—both the men and women who shaped the early Republic—were as complex and remarkable as the nation they helped create.
From the fiery pens of revolutionaries and philosophers to the quiet resolve of those who labored behind the scenes, these biographies and autobiographies capture the human side of the founding generation.
Within this collection, readers will find both biographical studies written by historians and contemporaries, and autobiographical writings authored by the Founders themselves.
Each work provides a window into the character, conviction, and context of those who gave life to the American experiment.
Use these accounts to explore how public virtue, private struggle, and the pursuit of liberty intertwined in the personal journeys of the Founders.
Whether you are reading Abigail Adams’s letters, Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography, or a modern historian’s reflection on George Washington’s leadership, each voice contributes to a deeper understanding of the founding era.
Browse the biographies and autobiographies below in alphabetical order.