Vital Statistics

Biography

John Dickinson, the 'Penman of the Revolution,' was a man of principle and careful thought. Initially hesitant to declare independence, he was a powerful voice for colonial rights. At the Constitutional Convention, his experience was invaluable. He chaired the committee on postponed matters, and though forced to leave early due to illness, he authorized another delegate to sign his name, a testament to his ultimate commitment to the new framework for the nation he helped to birth.