- 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.
The Centennial Book of American Biography
Published to commemorate the 100th anniversary of American independence, The Centennial Book of American Biography offers a sweeping collection of biographical sketches of the Founding Fathers and other influential figures who shaped the early United States. Written by James D. McCabe, the book is not a conventional history but a curated tribute to the lives, character, and contributions of the men whose deeds defined the Republic’s first century.
The volume opens with a patriotic introduction reflecting on the significance of the Centennial and the moral lessons embedded in the lives of these statesmen. It then proceeds through dozens of individual biographies—each written in a clear, accessible style—covering military leaders, constitutional architects, signers of the Declaration of Independence, and early presidents. Figures such as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and James Madison are profiled alongside lesser-known patriots like William Williams, Thomas Heyward Jr., and George Clymer.
McCabe emphasizes personal virtue, civic responsibility, and the enduring legacy of republican ideals. His portraits blend historical fact with moral reflection, aiming to inspire readers with examples of courage, wisdom, and public service. The book concludes with reflections on the meaning of independence and the responsibilities of citizenship in a free nation.
Source: McCabe, James D. The Centennial Book of American Biography. Philadelphia and Chicago: P. W. Ziegler & Co., 1876. Patriot Echoes Archive