Charles Thomson

Charles Thomson
Charles Thomson by Joseph Wright
Secretary of the Continental Congress
In office September 5, 1774 – July 23, 1789
Preceded by	Position established
Succeeded by	Position abolished
Personal details
Born	(1729-11-29)November 29, 1729 Maghera, County Londonderry, Ireland
Died	August 16, 1824(1824-08-16) (aged 94) Lower Merion Township, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Spouse(s)	Ruth Mather (m. 1758, d. 1769) Hannah Harrison (m. 1774, d. 1807)
Children	Twin daughters (died in infancy)
Signature

This article is part of a series on the
United States Continental Congress
Independence Hall in Philadelphia
Predecessors
Albany Congress Stamp Act Congress
First Continental Congress
Declaration and Resolves Continental Association Petition to the King
Second Continental Congress
United Colonies Olive Branch Petition Committee of Secret Correspondence Necessity of Taking Up Arms Lee Resolution Declaration of Independence Model Treaty Franco-American Treaty Articles of Confederation Perpetual Union Court of Appeals in Cases of Capture
Congress of the Confederation
Bank of North America Land Ordinance of 1784 / of 1785 Northwest Ordinance of 1787
Members
List of delegates Presidents of the Continental Congress Secretary of Foreign Affairs Superintendent of Finance Secretary at War Board of War Marine Committee Secretary of the Continental Congress
Related
Journals of the Continental Congress Carpenters' Hall Independence Hall Henry Fite House Nassau Hall Maryland State House French Arms Tavern Federal Hall
United States portal
v t e

Charles Thomson (November 29, 1729 – August 16, 1824) was an Irish-born patriot leader in Philadelphia during the American Revolution and the secretary of the Continental Congress (1774–1789) throughout its existence. As secretary, Thomson, a Founding Father of the United States, prepared the Journals of the Continental Congress, and his and John Hancock's names were the only two to appear on the first printing of the United States Declaration of Independence.

Thomson is also known for co-designing the Great Seal of the United States and adding its Latin mottoes Annuit cœptis and Novus ordo seclorum, and for his translation of the Bible's Old Testament.