George Mason, Forgotten Founder - by Jeff Broadwater (Paperback)

About the Book

In this first full biography of George Mason (1725-92) in a quarter-century, Jeff Broadwater shows that Mason was often driven by concerns about the abuse of political power, which went to the essence of the American experience. Illustrations.

Book Synopsis

George Mason (1725-92) is often omitted from the small circle of founding fathers celebrated today, but in his service to America he was, in the words of Thomas Jefferson, "of the first order of greatness." Jeff Broadwater provides a comprehensive account of Mason's life at the center of the momentous events of eighteenth-century America.

Mason played a key role in the Stamp Act Crisis, the American Revolution, and the drafting of Virginia's first state constitution. He is perhaps best known as author of the Virginia Declaration of Rights, a document often hailed as the model for the Bill of Rights.

As a Virginia delegate to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Mason influenced the emerging Constitution on point after point. Yet when he was rebuffed in his efforts to add a bill of rights and concluded the document did too little to protect the interests of the South, he refused to sign the final draft. Broadwater argues that Mason's recalcitrance was not the act of an isolated dissenter; rather, it emerged from the ideology of the American Revolution. Mason's concerns about the abuse of political power, Broadwater shows, went to the essence of the American experience.

Review Quotes

"Broadwater produces a carefully drawn, balanced account of the career of the intelligent but crotchety figure."
-- "American Historical Review"

"The author does justice to Mason . . . particularly as opposition leader against statism, power elitism, and the slave trade and as champion of individual rights."
-- "CHOICE"

Broadwater's in-depth portrait of the man and his times provides both a memorable read and a rich resource.
—"Virginian-Pilot"

Jeff Broadwater . . . has done a brilliant job of understanding Mason.
—"Washington Times"

"A compelling case."
-- "Register of the Kentucky Historical Society"

"Broadwater offers an insightful and elegantly written biography restoring George Mason, often dismissed as being an Anti-federalist obstructionist, to the pantheon of revolutionary-era leaders."
-- "Journal of American History"

"Broadwater's excellent and thorough portrait testifies to the high regard in which Mason was held during his life and to the profound influence his thinking had on Americans and on the Constitution he did so much to create."
-- "North Carolina Historical Review"

"Broadwater's exploration of Mason at Philadelphia is particularly finely wrought, and anyone wanting to understand the drafting process should henceforth consult this biography of the independent Virginian. . . . [Mason] deserves to be recalled, and Broadwater's book is the best introduction."
-- "American Conservative"

"Fills a major gap in modern biographies of significant Revolutionary figures. . . . Thoroughly researched and well-written."
-- "Town & County"

"Our understanding of the American founding is impoverished by neglecting the thoughts, words, and deeds of forgotten founders like George Mason. Broadwater's biography rightly gives the gentleman planter from Gunston Hall his due."
-- "The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography"

_Broadwater produces a carefully drawn, balanced account of the career of the intelligent but crotchety figure._
- "American Historical Review"

_The author does justice to Mason . . . particularly as opposition leader against statism, power elitism, and the slave trade and as champion of individual rights._
- "CHOICE"

"A compelling case."
- "Register of the Kentucky Historical Society"

aBroadwater produces a carefully drawn, balanced account of the career of the intelligent but crotchety figure.a
-- "American Historical Review"

aThe author does justice to Mason . . . particularly as opposition leader against statism, power elitism, and the slave trade and as champion of individual rights.a
-- "CHOICE"

A Best Nonfiction Biography of 2006.
"Washington Post Book World"

A Best Nonfiction Biography of 2006.
—"Washington Post Book World"