George Read | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Chief Justice of Delaware | |
| In office September 30, 1793 – September 21, 1798 | |
| Preceded by | William Killen |
| Succeeded by | Kensey Johns |
| United States Senator from Delaware | |
| In office March 4, 1789 – September 18, 1793 | |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Henry Latimer[1] |
| 3rd Governor of Delaware | |
| In office October 20, 1777 – March 31, 1778 | |
| Preceded by | Thomas McKean |
| Succeeded by | Caesar Rodney |
| Continental Congressman from Delaware | |
| In office August 2, 1774 – December 17, 1777 | |
| Preceded by | new office |
| Succeeded by | Caesar Rodney |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 18, 1733 Cecil County, Province of Maryland, British America |
| Died | September 21, 1798 (aged 65) New Castle, Delaware, U.S. |
| Resting place | Immanuel Episcopal Churchyard, New Castle |
| Political party | Federalist |
| Spouse | Gertrude Ross Till |
| Children | George Read Jr. |
| Relatives |
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| Residence | New Castle, Delaware |
| Profession | lawyer |
| Signature | &sq=&lang=&file=File:George_Read_Signature.svg){kind=small} |
George Read (September 18, 1733 – September 21, 1798) was an American politician from New Castle in New Castle County, Delaware. He was a Continental Congressman from Delaware, a delegate to the U.S. Constitutional Convention of 1787, president of Delaware, and a member of the Federalist Party. In addition, Read served as U.S. Senator from Delaware and chief justice of Delaware.
Read was a Founding Father of the United States, one of only two statesmen who signed four of the great state papers on which the country's founding is based: Petition to the King and Continental Association, both passed by the Congress of 1774, as well as the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and Constitution of the United States in 1787.[2]
- ^ this seat was vacant from September 18, 1793, until February 7, 1795.
- ^ Roger Sherman also signed these four documents, but in addition, Sherman was a signatory to the Articles of Confederation.