Home > Patriot (American Revolution)
: This article concerns Patriots in the American Revolution. For other uses of the word "patriot", see the disambiguation page. Patriots were British North American colonists who rebelled against the Crown during the American Revolution and established the independent states that became the United States of America. They were also called Whigs or Rebels. Influenced by John Locke and the American Enlightenment, they comprised a wide array of political points of view, from conservative aristocrats like Alexander Hamilton to lower-class radicals like Daniel Shays. Their opponents among fellow colonists were the Loyalists, who remained loyal to the British Crown.
Many Patriots were active before the American Revolutionary War, such as the Sons of Liberty. The most prominent leaders of the Patriots are revered to this day by Americans as Founding Fathers of the United States.
1 List of Prominent Patriots
Note: most of the individuals listed below served the Revolution in multiple capacities. The classifications below are in suggestion of those for which they have most been remembered.
1.1 Statesmen and Office Holders
- Benjamin FranklinBenjamin Franklin ( January 17, 1706 — April 17, 1790) was an American journalist, publisher, author, philanthropist, abolitionist, public servant, scientist, librarian, diplomat, and inventor. One of the leaders of the American Revolution, he was well kn
- John HancockThis article is about John Hancock, the 18th century statesman. For other people and things named John Hancock, see John Hancock (disambiguation). John Hancock ( January 23, 1737 October 8, 1793) was President of the Continental Congress, and the first pe
- Patrick HenryThis article is about the American politician. For the French criminal, see Patrick Henry. Patrick Henry ( May 29, 1736 June 6, 1799) was a prominent figure in the American Revolution. Along with Samuel Adams and Thomas Paine, he was one of the most influ
- Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson Other images: (, , ) Order 3rd President Term of Office Monday, March 4, 1801 Thursday, March 3, 1809 Followed John Adams Succeeded by James Madison Date of Birth April 13, 1743 Place of Birth Shadwell, Virginia Date of Death Tuesday, Jul
- Richard Henry LeeRichard Henry Lee ( January 20, 1732 June 19, 1794) was the sixth President of the United States in Congress assembled under the Articles of Confederation, holding office from November 30, 1784 to November 22, 1785. He was preceded in office by Thomas Mif
- James MadisonJames Madison Order 4th President Term of Office March 4, 1809 March 3, 1817 Followed Thomas Jefferson Succeeded by James Monroe Date of Birth March 16, 1751 Place of Birth Port Conway, Virginia Date of Death June 28, 1836 Place of Death Montpelier, Virgi
1.2 Pamphleteers and Activists
- Samuel AdamsSamuel Adams ( September 27, 1722 October 2, 1803) was an American revolutionary and organizer of the Boston Tea Party. He was also one of the signatories of the Declaration of Independence ( 1776). Born to a wealthy Boston family, Adams attended Harvard
- William MolineuxWilliam Molineux ( 1716 October 1774) was an American merchant best known for his role in the Boston Tea Party of 1773. A member of the Sons of Liberty, he organized the Tea Party along with Samuel Adams, and served as the group's spokesman during protest
- Thomas Paine
- Richard Price (active from abroad)
