George Mason: A Forgotten Founder

George Mason, a contemporary of George Washington and Patrick Henry, played a role in the development of political thought in colonial Virginia through the Revolutionary era. His past experience of service in the French and Indian War left him a loyal supporter of the British crown until actions by Parliament in the 1760s and 1770s led him to believe the British government sought tyranny over English colonial rights. He put pen to paper and wrote the Virginia Declaration of Rights, which contained arguments and reasons echoed in the subsequent Declaration of Independence written by Thomas Jefferson. Mason continued his fight for the protection of American rights with his strong Anti-Federalist stance during the ratification debates of the United States Constitution. His position was so strong against the new federal government enacted by the Constitution, that his friendship with George Washington was severed. Mason was also the originator of many of the amendments now known as the Bill of Rights in the Constitution. His role in shaping the founding principles and actions of the United States is little know, but is a story worthy of telling