(Newser)
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Fifty-six men signed the Declaration of Independence, but we only remember a few of the Founding Fathers. Mental Floss shines a light on a few of the lesser-knowns:
- George Read: the only statesman to oppose the Declaration of Independence. Admitted to the Philadelphia Bar at age 19, Read thought Americans and Britons could work out their differences.
- Caesar Rodney: best remembered for his all-night ride from Delaware to Pennsylvania to break a crucial tie in the Continental Congress—and for being called the “oddest-looking man in the world” by John Adams.
- Rev. John Witherspoon: The man who coined the term “Americanism” may be forgotten, but his bloodline lives on in actress Reese Witherspoon, a direct descendant.
Read more about the forgotten founders by clicking the link below.
