American Quotations by William J. Federer 2024

Henry Fielding (April 22, 1707-October 8, 1754) was an English novelist, dramatist and playwright. His satirical comedies offended the Whig premier, Sir John Walpole, and he was pressured to abandon the stage. He turned to law, became a magistrate, 1748, and helped organize an early police force named the Bow Street Runners. Henry Fielding's greatest novels include: Joseph Andrews, 1742; Jonathan Wild, 1743; Tom Jones, 1749; Amelia, 1752 and Journal of a Voyage to Lisbon, written shortly before his death. In Joseph Andrews, book III, chapter 5, Henry Fielding stated: <Public schools are the nurseries of all vice and immorality.> 1707HF001...

Samuel Adams (September 27, 1722-October 2, 1803) was a Revolutionary leader and signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was the cousin John Adams, the second President. Samuel Adams was known as the "Father of the American Revolution." He labored over 20 years as a patriot and leader. He instigated the Boston Tea Party, signed the Declaration of Independence, called for the first Continental Congress and served as a member of Congress until 1781. He helped draft the Massachusetts Constitution, 1779; served as the state's Lieutenant Governor under Governor John Hancock, 1789- 93; and Governor of Massachusetts, 1793-97. The State of...

John Witherspoon (February 5, 1723-November 15, 1794) was an American Revolutionary patriot and clergyman. Born in Scotland, being a descendant of John Knox on his mother's side, John Witherspoon's influence as an educator was widely felt in America. He signed the Declaration of Independence and was a member of the Continental Congress. He was a primary proponent of separation of powers insisting on inclusions to check and balance the power of government. He served on over 120 Congressional committees, including: the Board of War, the Committee on Secret Correspondence, or Foreign Affairs, and the Committee on Clothing for the Army. As...

Samuel Langdon (January 12, 1723-November 29, 1797) was the president of Harvard 1774-1781. He was pastor of the Church in Hampton Falls and a member of the New Hampshire Convention which ratified the U.S. Constitution in 1788. He was an original member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. The Great Awakening preacher, George Whitefield spoke at Harvard in 1740, the same year that Samuel Langdon, and his classmate, Samuel Adams, graduated. The Governor of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, Jonathan Belcher (1682-1757), was also an Overseer of Harvard College. Later, John Hancock was instrumental in having Samuel Langon chosen as...

Benjamin Franklin (January 17, 1706-April 17, 1790) was an American printer, writer, scientist, philosopher and statesmen. Born to a poor candle-maker in Boston, Massachusetts, he was 15th of 17 children. Since his family could not afford to provide him with a formal education, he began apprenticing as a printer at the age of twelve. In 1723, he moved to Philadelphia and married Deborah Read, by whom he had two children. He initially gained literary acclaim through the annual publication of his book, Poor Richard's Almanac (1732-57). At the age of forty-two he was successful enough to retire and devote himself to...