George Read
George Read (1733–1798) was a prominent Delaware statesman, lawyer, and Founding Father who played a crucial role in American independence and the establishment of the early United States government. Born in Maryland but raised in Delaware, Read became one of the most influential political figures of the late 18th century. He served as a delegate to the Continental Congress, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, and later as Governor and United States Senator from Delaware. Read's legal expertise and diplomatic skills made him an essential voice in shaping Delaware's role during the Revolutionary period and the formation of the federal union. His contributions to constitutional law and his advocacy for the interests of the smaller states earned him recognition as one of Delaware's most important historical figures.
History
George Read was born on September 18, 1733, in Cecil County, Maryland, to John Read, an Irish immigrant, and Mary Hooper Read. The family relocated to New Castle, Delaware, when George was a young child, and he spent his formative years in the colonial community along the Delaware River. Read received his education through private tutoring and developed an early interest in law and public service. He studied law under the tutelage of John Moland, a prominent Delaware attorney, and was admitted to the Delaware bar in 1753, beginning a legal career that would span nearly four decades.[1] As a young attorney, Read earned a reputation for his meticulous attention to legal detail and his ability to argue cases with precision and clarity.
Read's political career began in the 1760s when colonial tensions with Great Britain were escalating. He served in the Delaware Assembly and became increasingly involved in the movement for American independence. In 1774, Read was elected as a delegate to the First Continental Congress, representing Delaware alongside Caesar Rodney and Thomas McKean. Though initially cautious about complete separation from Britain, Read gradually came to support independence as political circumstances deteriorated. He signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, becoming one of three Delaware signatories, though he reportedly expressed reservations about certain provisions. During the Revolutionary War, Read continued to serve in various governmental capacities, including as a member of the Delaware Constitutional Convention of 1776 and the Continental Congress, where he remained until 1777. His contributions during wartime included advocating for Delaware's interests in military supply and representation in the emerging national government.[2]
Read's most significant national contribution came during the Constitutional Convention of 1787, held in Philadelphia. As a delegate from Delaware, he participated actively in debates over the structure of the federal government and served on important committees. Read was particularly concerned with protecting the interests of smaller states, and he supported the Great Compromise that preserved equal representation for all states in the Senate. He also advocated for a strong executive branch and contributed to discussions about the judiciary. Read's influence at the convention was substantial despite Delaware's small population and economic resources. He signed the Constitution on September 17, 1787, and returned to Delaware to support ratification. Delaware became the first state to ratify the Constitution on December 7, 1787, making it "The First State," a distinction that reflected Read's and his colleagues' early commitment to the federal union.[3]
Government and Public Service
Following the establishment of the federal government, George Read served as the first United States Senator from Delaware, elected by the state legislature in 1789. During his tenure in the Senate, which lasted until 1793, he supported many of the policies of the Washington administration, including Alexander Hamilton's financial program and the establishment of a national bank. Read was known for his conservative fiscal views and his belief in a strong central government capable of managing the nation's economic and security interests. In the Senate, he participated in debates over the assumption of state debts, the location of the nation's capital, and early foreign policy questions. His Senate service reflected his commitment to building a stable federal system that would endure beyond the initial period of experimentation.
In 1793, after leaving the Senate, Read was appointed Chief Justice of Delaware, a position he held until his death in 1798. As Chief Justice, he worked to establish legal precedents and judicial procedures for the young state. He also served briefly as Governor of Delaware from 1786 to 1788, during the critical period when the state was transitioning from a colonial entity to a member of the federal union. Read's tenure as Governor saw him dealing with practical matters of state administration, including militia organization, tax collection, and the establishment of state institutions. Throughout his public career, Read maintained his legal practice, handling significant cases and advising both governmental and private clients. His simultaneous roles in law and politics were not unusual for prominent figures of his era, and Read managed to fulfill both responsibilities with competence and distinction.
Legacy and Death
George Read died on September 21, 1798, in New Castle, Delaware, at the age of sixty-five. He had experienced declining health in his final years but remained engaged with legal and political matters until the end. Read left behind a substantial estate, including property in New Castle and a personal library reflecting his intellectual interests. He was never married and had no direct descendants, but his legacy extended through his influence on Delaware's institutional development and his contributions to American constitutional history. Read's home in New Castle has been preserved as a historical site, and his papers have been collected by historical societies and archives. Historians have recognized him as one of Delaware's most accomplished figures, particularly noting his role in securing Delaware's advantageous position in the federal system through his advocacy for equal state representation in the Senate.[4]
In the 19th and 20th centuries, various memorials were established to honor George Read's contributions. The George Read House in New Castle is maintained as a museum and historic site open to visitors interested in the Revolutionary period and early federal era. Educational institutions throughout Delaware teach about Read's life and accomplishments as part of their curriculum on state and national history. Delaware's identification as "The First State" reinforces the connection to Read and his generation of founding figures who brought Delaware into the union as the first state to ratify the Constitution. Modern scholars continue to study Read's correspondence, legislative records, and judicial opinions to better understand the period in which he lived and his intellectual contributions to American constitutionalism.