George Mason, Forgotten Founder

by Jeff Broadwater

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781469642512
Publisher:	The University of North Carolina Press
Publication date:	02/01/2018
Pages:	352
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Jeff Broadwater is professor of history at Barton College. He is author of several books, most recently James Madison: A Son of Virginia and a Founder of the Nation.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

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



A compelling case.—Register of the Kentucky Historical Society



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



Broadwater's biography of George Mason is important because of the subject. It is also important because it shows us in great detail the foundation of Virginia and American government at a time when many of us seem to be wandering in the wilderness without a map.—Roanoke Times



Broadwater has written a solid . . . political biography of this important figure. . . . The book is a worthwhile contribution to the growing body of 'Founders literature.' . . . A good book with wide appeal. Students interested in the founding generation will find it valuable.—Georgia Historical Quarterly



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 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



This engrossing biography['s]. . . . greatest strength is Broadwater's treatment of the post-Revolutionary years, specifically his nuanced discussion of Mason's role at the constitutional convention. . . . Broadwater's prose is vigorous and his assessment of Mason judicious; this biography is a standout.—Publishers Weekly, starred review

Editorial Reviews

"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"

From the Publisher

Broadwater, who teaches history at Barton College in North Carolina, writes clear, unadorned prose and has an admirable ability to explain complex intellectual matters in terms the lay reader can understand. Because Mason left little evidence of his private life, there are blurred edges in the portrait that Broadwater paints, but overall this is an exemplary biography: sympathetic but dispassionate, thorough but not cluttered, convincing in its interpretations and arguments. It leaves no doubt that Mason deserves to be returned to the esteem and reputation he enjoyed during his lifetime, but in no way is it hagiography.
— The Washington Post

Jonathan Yardley

One of the fruits of publishers' recent obsession with the founding fathers is a spate of books on lesser-known revolutionary figures-and none could be more welcome than this engrossing biography of George Mason (1725-1792). Until the late 1760s, Mason devoted himself principally to his Virginia plantation, his family and his health. But when Britain levied taxes on stamps and tea, he became a leader in the nonimportation movement, and as the Revolution unfolded, he emerged as one of Virginia's most important politicians, helping to raise a militia and drafting the influential Virginia Declaration of Rights and a state constitution. This biography's greatest strength is Broadwater's treatment of the post-Revolutionary years, specifically his nuanced discussion of Mason's role at the constitutional convention. Broadwater, associate professor of history at Barton College in North Carolina, shows that Mason's leadership at the convention shaped the Constitution and spells out the many factors that led to Mason's final refusal to sign it. Especially fascinating is Broadwater's speculations about Mason's relations with George Washington-the two men were neighbors, but Broadwater finds hints that at times their social relationship was strained. Broadwater's prose is vigorous and his assessment of Mason judicious; this biography is a standout. 9 illus., 1 map. (Oct. 2) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Publishers Weekly