John Dickinson, American lawyer and politician 5th Governor of Delaware (b. 1732)

John Dickinson (November 13, 1732 – February 14, 1808) stands as a pivotal, though often complex, figure among the Founding Fathers of the United States. Born in Talbot County, Maryland, he was a distinguished solicitor and politician whose career spanned Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Wilmington, Delaware. His intellectual prowess and commitment to colonial rights earned him the enduring moniker, the "Penman of the Revolution."

The "Penman of the Revolution": Advocating for Colonial Rights

Dickinson’s renown as the "Penman of the Revolution" was solidified by his influential series of twelve essays, Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania, published individually between 1767 and 1768. These essays were a direct and eloquent response to the Townshend Acts of 1767, which imposed new duties on goods imported into the American colonies, such as glass, lead, paints, paper, and tea. Dickinson’s central argument, widely circulated and immensely persuasive, was that while the British Parliament held the right to regulate colonial trade, it did not possess the authority to levy taxes on the colonies for the purpose of raising revenue without their consent. He skillfully articulated the colonies' constitutional objections to this form of taxation, arguing that it was an infringement on their liberties as British subjects. His writings not only galvanized public opinion across the colonies but also provided a reasoned intellectual framework for colonial resistance, distinguishing between legitimate parliamentary authority and unconstitutional overreach.

Leading Diplomatic Efforts in the Continental Congresses

As tensions escalated, Dickinson played a crucial role in the nascent American government.

• First Continental Congress (1774): Representing Pennsylvania, Dickinson was a key delegate. He was a principal author of the 1774 Petition to the King, a formal plea to King George III requesting the repeal of the Intolerable Acts and a return to harmonious relations. He was also a signatory to the Continental Association, an agreement among the colonies to boycott British goods until their grievances were addressed. This demonstrated a unified colonial front, aiming for economic coercion rather than immediate military conflict.
• Second Continental Congress (1775): Dickinson continued his efforts for reconciliation. He was the primary author of the 1775 Olive Branch Petition, a final, earnest appeal to King George III affirming colonial loyalty while humbly requesting a peaceful resolution and the protection of their rights. However, King George III rejected the petition outright, famously declaring the colonies to be in a state of "open and avowed rebellion," thus shutting the door on peaceful negotiation.
• Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms (1775): Following the King's rejection, and with hostilities already underway at Lexington and Concord, Congress needed to justify its military actions. While Thomas Jefferson initially drafted this declaration, Dickinson reworked much of its language, producing the final version. This document, adopted in July 1775, explained to the world why the colonies were resorting to armed resistance, outlining a history of British abuses. Crucially, it still stopped short of advocating for independence, aiming instead to secure the rights of the colonists within the British Empire.

Shaping the New Nation: Articles of Confederation and Constitutional Convention

Despite his initial reluctance to declare independence – driven by a belief that a strong union must precede a formal break with Britain and a desire to ensure a more stable future – Dickinson made indispensable contributions to the framework of the new American government.

He was a member of the committee that drafted the 1776 Model Treaty, which provided a template for commercial treaties with foreign powers and guided early American diplomacy. Most notably, Dickinson penned the first draft of the 1776–1777 Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, America's first governing constitution. His initial draft envisioned a stronger central government than what ultimately emerged, advocating for powers such as taxation and regulation of western lands. However, concerns from states' rights advocates led to a significantly weakened final version, granting limited powers to the central government and reserving substantial authority for individual states.

Years later, recognizing the inadequacies of the Articles, Dickinson returned to the national stage. He presided over the 1786 Annapolis Convention, a crucial meeting that addressed interstate trade issues and, more significantly, issued the call for a broader convention to revise the Articles. This paved the way for the 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, which Dickinson attended as a delegate from Delaware. At the Convention, he advocated for a balanced federal system, proposing ideas that contributed to the Great Compromise, ensuring both proportional representation (in the House) and equal state representation (in the Senate). He championed a strong, yet limited, executive branch and the protection of individual liberties against potential governmental overreach.

Diverse Contributions and Enduring Legacy

Dickinson's multifaceted career extended beyond legislative and constitutional drafting:

• "The Liberty Song" (1768): He authored "The Liberty Song," an immensely popular patriotic anthem that rallied colonial sentiment against British policies. Set to the tune of "Hearts of Oak," its lyrics, such as "By uniting we stand, by dividing we fall," became a powerful expression of colonial unity and resistance.
• Military Service: He served as a militia officer during the American Revolution, demonstrating his commitment to the cause even after his differing views on independence.
• State Leadership: Dickinson served as President (a title akin to governor) of Delaware from 1781 to 1782 and then as President of Pennsylvania from 1782 to 1785, demonstrating his continued dedication to public service in the fledgling states.
• Personal Wealth: He was among the wealthiest men in the British American colonies, largely due to inherited landholdings and successful legal and mercantile ventures, which allowed him to dedicate considerable time to public service.

Upon John Dickinson's death on February 14, 1808, President Thomas Jefferson eloquently recognized his profound impact, stating that Dickinson was "Among the first of the advocates for the rights of his country when assailed by Great Britain whose 'name will be consecrated in history as one of the great worthies of the revolution.'" This tribute underscores Dickinson's early and consistent advocacy for American liberties, even when his methods differed from those who pushed for immediate separation.

His legacy is permanently etched into the fabric of American education and identity. Together with his wife, Mary Norris Dickinson, he is the namesake of Dickinson College, founded in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in 1783—making it one of the first colleges established after the American Revolution. Additionally, the Dickinson School of Law of Pennsylvania State University and the University of Delaware's Dickinson Complex bear his name. In northern Delaware, John Dickinson High School, dedicated in 1959, continues to honor this influential Founding Father, ensuring his contributions to American independence and governance are remembered by future generations.

Frequently Asked Questions about John Dickinson

Who was John Dickinson and why is he called the "Penman of the Revolution"?

John Dickinson was a prominent American Founding Father, a solicitor, and politician. He earned the moniker "Penman of the Revolution" due to his influential Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania, a series of essays published in 1767-1768. These writings eloquently argued against British taxation without colonial representation, significantly shaping public opinion and providing intellectual justification for American resistance to the Townshend Acts.

What was John Dickinson's stance on American independence?

Initially, John Dickinson was a strong advocate for reconciliation with Great Britain, believing that a unified colonial front and a well-structured government were prerequisites for a successful separation, if it became absolutely necessary. He authored critical documents like the Olive Branch Petition seeking peaceful resolution. While he did not vote for the Declaration of Independence in 1776, he nonetheless served in the Continental Army and later contributed significantly to the formation of the new nation's government, including drafting the first version of the Articles of Confederation.

What was the significance of the Articles of Confederation, and what was Dickinson's role?

The Articles of Confederation were the first governing constitution of the United States, ratified in 1781. John Dickinson authored the first draft of this crucial document, laying the groundwork for a union of the newly independent states. Although his initial proposals for a stronger central government were significantly modified by states' rights advocates, his work was fundamental in establishing the initial framework for American governance, which later informed the creation of the U.S. Constitution.

What institutions are named after John Dickinson?

John Dickinson's legacy is honored through several prominent institutions. These include Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania (founded in 1783), the Dickinson School of Law of Pennsylvania State University, and the University of Delaware's Dickinson Complex. John Dickinson High School in northern Delaware also bears his name.