Classical Literature Having Significant Influence Upon the American ColonistsBTW, what did you think of how John Adams summed up sources of the Revolution? We don't hear much about those writers he is first to mention (John Poynet and Algernon Sidney). Do you suppose that is because of their strong Biblical Christian principles?
Classic Philosophers and Poets, Most of the founding fathers in America were thorougly familiar with these Greco-Roman authors: e.g., Aristotle, Plato, Cicero, Virgil.
The Latin Library, (Cicero, Livy, Horace, etc.) Ability to read these sources extemporaneously was an entrance requirement at colonial schools such as Harvard.
The Vulgate, The Holy Bible in Latin.
The Bible, The best Bible online, which allows the user to immediately discover the Hebrew and Greek words behind the English words.
The Bible, This book was, of course, the most influential piece of literature in Colonial America.
St. Augustine , The church father of choice among American Puritans.
St. Augustine , English translations of his works on predestination which greatly influenced the Puritans.