They Signed: The Signers of the Declaration of Independence
by Bruce Carlson · 16 episodes
SocietyCultureHistory
Learn more about American history, the American Revolution, and the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence in this podcast. From Thomas Jefferson to William Hooper and George Read, the known and unknown Signers are discussed.
Latest episodes
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The Man in the Cave and Other Stories
Who were the people who signed the document Americans celebrate on July 4th? A small part of that question is answered in this episode. An introduction to the Declaration of Indepe…
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Hooper Who? and The Confused Merchant, the Dueler and the Man Lost at Sea
Everyone knows Jefferson. But who is Button Gwinnett? William Hooper? or Joseph Hewes? this episode discusses the signers from south of Virginia who made an important contribution…
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Rich Men
Were the signers all rich men? Could it be said, as it has, that they were they looking out for their own? We look at these questions in this episode. As we examine some of the ric…
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Poor Richard's
Ben Franklin would have been a busy, hard working printer and not a distinguished member of the Continental Congress had he not come up with a best-selling book that allowed him, e…
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July 4, or July 2, 1776?
Though the vote for independence occurred on July 2nd, we celebrate the day of printing and publication. we look at the claim of both days and the role of the state that didn't vot…
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Hopkins and Ellery: Raging Rhode Islanders
No unease about Independence in this colony. Rhode Island, formed in dissent and the anchor of religious tolerance in America, was a bastion of Patriot activity. We talk about two…
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Poor Richard's: The Bestseller That Made a Signer
Ben Franklin would have been a busy, hard working printer and not a distinguished member of the Continental Congress had he not come up with a best-selling book that allowed him, e…
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Whipple
William Whipple is not the best known signer. It is only in recent years that this son of New Hampshire is even getting a fitting marker for his grave. In this episode, he is honor…
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Robert Treat Paine and Elbridge Gerry
Hailing from the same state as Adams and Hancock doesn't help to get you noticed, or so it appears with these two Signers important in their time but less known now. One became a F…
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James Wilson, John Dickinson and The Radical Baristas
James Wilson is often seen as the swing vote on independence. Without his vote, and John Morton's Pennsylvania would have went against Independence, severing the union of states ne…
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Colonel Franklin, Boss Franklin, And The Iron Declaration Men: Ross, Taylor, Smith, Clymer, Morton
We know Ben Franklin as a printer and a Founder - but what about his role as a military man? Short-lived, but it was probably what catapulted him to enough prominence to represent…
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The Younger Jefferson, Wythe and Harrison
Could he be the most famous alternate in all of history? Thomas Jefferson was not on the first list to be a delegate to Philadelphia representing his state. But its good that he wa…
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Pop Stars and Docktors: Hopkinson, Witherspoon, Bartlett and Others
A pop musician of the 18th century was among the Signers Francis Hopkinson, a 'funny looking man' according to Adamas, was a lawyer but also a musician on the side indeed a master…
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John Hancock Manhandles England, Samuel and John Adams
He's more than just a large signature. At the John Hancock was seen as the utmost revolutionary, probably the one most in 1776 thought would have been remembered in history as the…
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Why Did the Signers Wear Wigs? Roger Sherman, Benjamin Rush and Others
It's a style
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The Fifth and Market Moment and the False Thaw
A bit about the events that would cause two Signers and friends, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, to stop talking. And stop writing. and the event that almost broke the silence.
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Caesar Rodney's Ride, George Read's Refusal and that Precedent-Setting Frenchman
A legendary ride is brought to dramatic life in this episode, as we discuss the Delaware delegation and the last-minute vote that switched Delaware from reconciliation to independe…
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The Man in the Cave and Other Stories
Who were the people who signed the document Americans celebrate on July 4th? A small part of that question is answered in this episode. An introduction to the Declaration of Indepe…