Posted on 12/11/2025 11:49:08 AM PST by Borges
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George Mason (1725–1792) was a crucial, though often overlooked, Founding Father known as the “Father of the Bill of Rights” for drafting the Virginia Declaration of Rights, which heavily influenced the U.S. Bill of Rights. A planter and statesman from Virginia, he championed individual liberties, limited government, and religious freedom, but refused to sign the Constitution due to its lack of a Bill of Rights, arguing for stronger individual protections against government overreach, a stance that ultimately led to the Bill of Rights’ addition.
Key Contributions & Ideas
Virginia Declaration of Rights (1776): His masterpiece, outlining fundamental rights like freedom of religion, speech, and due process, serving as a blueprint for the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Bill of Rights.
Virginia Constitution (1776): Helped establish the separation of powers within Virginia’s government (legislative, executive, judicial).
Constitutional Convention (1787): A key figure, supporting proportional representation (Virginia Plan) but opposing the final Constitution without a Bill of Rights and strong protections for the South.
Anti-Federalist Leader: A leading voice against ratification, insisting on explicit rights to prevent tyranny, alongside Patrick Henry.
Legacy
A complex figure, Mason was a dedicated patriot and Enlightenment thinker who emphasized balance in government and individual freedom.
His insistence on individual rights, though controversial at the time, proved foundational to American constitutional law and human rights globally.
Despite his pivotal role, he remains one of the less famous Founding Fathers, sometimes called the “Forgotten Founder”.
“His insistence on individual rights, though controversial at the time, proved foundational to American constitutional law and human rights globally.”
Do away with Mason’s insistence and you are left with a collection of empty words.
Forgot to write “thanks for the post”.
I never heard of him. That, or I was not paying attention back in American History class.
Perhaps even back then, in the 1700’s one had to self promote if you desired to become a well known statesman.
A few may have made a second career out of writing essays and soliloquies about their basis of reason. Benjamin Franklin became known throughout the 13 Colonies and beyond for such skills and talents. While others were content to remain Gentlemen Farmers, raising big familes, and with simply no time for such documentations.
Really?
Read the first ten amendments, well known as the bill of rights, to the constitution.
Thats George Mason.
Know why he is never mentioned in many historical writtings?
Because he warned us all of what is happening today.
The federalists did not like it.
Checked the Wikipedia article on him. It mentions that his great-grandfather was a Cavalier who supported the king in the English Civil War and then went to Virginia--George Washington had an ancestor who was a Cavalier too.
The family had a plantation called Chopawamsic. Wikipedia wants you to know that the family enslaved people there. The plantation was later acquired for the Marine Corps base at Quantico. There is a Chopawamsic Creek on the base.
Happy birthday.
He’s a Mason.
Never heard of him either. I paid no attention during history class. Most boring subject ever. Until I got into genealogy and started trying to turn these names and dates into people who would live again. That’s when my library shelves began filling with history books. No ancestors among the Signers but 2 first cousins.
Philip Livingston lost two homes and much of his business property, but was able to sell some of his remaining holdings to help maintain the credit of the United States. He died in 1778 while separated from his family by the war.
Lewis Morris, lost his magnificent estate, “Morrisania,” which was sacked and burned. He lived in poverty for years before he was able to restore his property. Yet he so conducted himself that Benjamin Rush of Pennsylvania said of Morris that “every attachment of his heart yielded to his love of his country.”
And inspired the Napoleonic portrait pose with the hand inside the front of the jacket.
Btw; joking aside this is a really nice post. Did not know all this and appreciate learning it.
You might enjoy this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goGkBHx8LHA
>>You might enjoy this.
I did. Very well done documentary with a brilliant use of animation. Thank you for the link.
At least he gets some recognition.
I didn’t realize he was the George Mason this was named after.
See the link at post 12.
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