Lyman Hall was a doctor who signed the Declaration of Independence. The British burned his community in Georgia during the war. He later became Georgia's governor. Lyman Hall, the son of John and Mary ...

In Stinson, a unanimous Court gave great deference to the commentary in sentencing decisions, holding that “the Guidelines ...

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable ...

Francis Lewis was one of the most committed political radicals in New York City. Lewis signed the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation. Francis Lewis was born in Llandaff, ...

Hugh Williamson was the surgeon-general of North Carolina’s troops during the Revolutionary War. Williamson served on five committees at the Constitutional Convention of 1787. Hugh Williamson, the ...

William Blackstone (1723-80) was the author of A Discourse on the Study of Law (1758), Commentaries on the Laws of England (1765-69), and other works. These works were for the most part based on ...

When crafting the Constitution, one of the central concerns of the Founding generation was how best to control government power. With the new Constitution, the Framers looked to strike an important ...

The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the ...

Josiah Bartlett represented New Hampshire at the Second Continental Congress, and he cast the first “aye” vote to approve separation from Britain. Josiah Bartlett was born in Amesbury, Massachusetts, ...

Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer favored a strong and permanent union of the states. At the Convention of 1787, Jenifer was content with the plan for a new government that emerged from the debates. Daniel ...

The Bill of Rights is the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution. These amendments guarantee essential rights and civil liberties, such as the freedom of religion, the right to free speech, the ...

Samuel Chase signed the Declaration directly below John Hancock’s sprawling one. Chase later survived an impeachment trial as a Supreme Court justice. Samuel Chase was the only child of Reverend ...