John Jay: Founding Father

by Walter Stahr

John Jay was a central figure in the early history of the American Republic. A New York lawyer, born in 1745, Jay served his country with the greatest distinction and was one of the most influential of its Founding Fathers. In the first full-length biography in almost seventy years, Walter Stahr brings Jay vividly to life, setting his astonishing career against the background of the American Revolution. Drawing on substantial new material, Walter Stahr has written a full and highly readable portrait of both the public and private man. It is the story not only of John Jay himself, the most prominent native-born New Yorker of the eighteenth century, but also of his engaging and intelligent wife, Sarah, who accompanied her husband on his wartime diplomatic missions. This lively and compelling biography presents Jay in the light he as a major Founding Father, a true national hero, and a leading architect of America's future.

Genres: Biography, History, American History, Nonfiction, American Revolution, Politics, The United States Of America

496 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2005

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book #6 in my 7-book tour through the lives of the Founding Fathers.

I enjoyed this one quite a bit, and feel like I learned a lot about the founding father I knew the least about before I started this. I knew he was the first Chief Justice of the United States, but I didn't know until this book what he actually did in that job. He was also a governor, ambassador, and helped to negotiate the peace treaty with Great Britain. But it seems like his most important contribution to the founding of the country was his trustworthiness, level-headedness, and wisdom. Like Washington, he was a man that everyone trusted to take on big jobs. He had his hand in everything, and seems to have excelled in everything he did.

Updated rankings of the Founding Father books:
1. Chernow's Hamilton book.
2. McCullough's Adams book
3. Brands' Franklin book.
4. Chernow's Washington book.
5. This book
6. Meacham's Jefferson book.
Still to come - a book on James Madison.

And here's a ranking of my favorite Founding Fathers so far:
1. Washington
2. Adams
3. Franklin
4. Hamilton
5. Jay
6. Jefferson

[Breck Baumann · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging, slightly tedious, and altogether thorough look at the life of one of the American Revolution and Early U.S. Republic's leading statesmen and diplomats. Stahr captures all aspects of John Jay's rise from a budding New York lawyer, into that of a chief justice of a young and rising United States. His birth, marriage, relationships with fellow Founders, faults, accomplishments, and eventual death are judged and met with a keen eye. While his time as ambassador to Spain is recounted masterfully, Stahr perhaps becomes too enamored with his subject by trying to defend his actions as negotiator of the Treaty of Paris—a task where perfection would always be unattainable. Fortunately, no fluff nor filler-content is added (in terms of the typical battles, major events, etc., given to excite a casual reader) as there is much to uncover with Jay's remarkable life.

[Diana Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay known as the “Founding Fathers”. In this work the author brings to life the history of John Jay, who is much overshadowed by the other leaders but he is relevant and played an important role in the making of this nation. Jay started his career as a lawyer and when war for independence became a reality he championed the cause. He went where he was needed, being abroad with his wife for several years in Spain and France seeking aid and was not in the states when Cornwallis surrendered but was instrumental working out a peace agreement with Britain. He along with Madison and Hamilton wrote the Federalist papers and framed a Constitution that would be acceptable to the majority of the states. I was fascinated reading about the debates and learning more about this great man. The author did an amazing amount of research and much is included in the work. It's well written, fully notated and a fascinating biography of a remarkable patriot. John Jay may not have been a President, an inventor, or involved in a scandal but he was a statesman, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Governor of New York and much more. I highly recommend this biography to anyone studying or interested in United States History.

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

“A few years more will put us all in the dust; and it will then be of more importance to me to have governed myself than to have governed the state.” JJ

A necessary corrective for the neglect which this founder of the United States has suffered. Not without flaws, the greatest of which is the constant imposition of Stahl’s opinions disguised as those of his sources, this is nonetheless good history, good biography, and a good read.

“Americans are the first people whom Heaven has favored with an opportunity of deliberating upon, and choosing the forms of government under which they should live.” JJ

Because he was a hard worker but not a self-promoter, Jay has faded from the enormous recognition and popularity he enjoyed during his lifetime.

It was “very inconsistent as well as unjust and perhaps impious” for men to “pray and fight for their own freedom” and yet to “keep others in slavery.” But “the wise and the good never form the majority of any large society, and it seldom happens that their measures are uniformly adopted.” JJ

Jay helped to form in early 1785 the New York Manumission Society. Yet he owned slaves.

“If the means of defense are in our power and we do not make use of them, what excuse shall we make to our children and our Creator?” JJ

Quibbles: Stahl faithfully lists one footnote at the close of each paragraph, with no indication which of the facts, opinions, and reflections contained are his own. “… marching east from Oswego, along the line of the Mohawk River, about a hundred miles east of Albany.” No, Oswego is 100 miles west of Albany. “William Hickey, was handed over to the army, tried, convicted, and hanged on questionable evidence.” On the contrary, the evidence against Thomas Hickey was irrefutable, perhaps the reason he not the others were hanged in front of the army and citizens.

“Perhaps the best brief summary of Jay’s life and temper was by his son, Peter Augustus [Jay], who placed these words on his father’s tombstone:”
In memory of John Jay, eminent among those who asserted the liberty and established the independence of his country, which he long served in the most important offices, legislative, executive, judicial and diplomatic, and distinguished in them all by his ability, firmness, patriotism, and integrity. He was in his life and death an example of the virtues, the faith and the hopes of a Christian.

[Brandon Dalo · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.6 Rating

"John Jay" by Walter Stahr offers a comprehensive and nuanced biography of one of America's Founding Fathers, John Jay, exploring his pivotal role in the early formation of the United States. The book delves into Jay's significant contributions as a diplomat, statesman, and the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, while also shedding light on the political dynamics of his era.

Now that I’ve finished this biography of John Jay, I have completed my journey through biographies of the main seven Founding Fathers of America. It is interesting that I waited to read a biography on John Jay until last, perhaps due to an underlying agreement with what the author of this biography said about him while summarizing Jay’s achievements: “Jay was part of a great generation and one way to approach his place in history is to compare his contributions with those of some of his contemporaries. He was not as important as Franklin, rightly called “the first American”, or Washington, the father of his country. He also ranks behind Adams, Hamilton, Jefferson and Madison. After these six men, however, no other American of the Revolutionary Generation contributed more than John Jay.”

Obviously well-researched and thorough, this could be referred to as the definitive John Jay biography. However, similar to Noah Feldman’s James Madison biography, and despite stories about his family and deeply religious feelings, it falls a bit short of offering a sort of deeper emotional or personal side to Jay. While Jay's accomplishments are well-documented, the narrative lacks the emotional resonance found in the biographies of Washington or Adams I read. This might be due to the author's writing or Jay's inherently private nature, but either way, it leaves readers feeling a little distant from the man behind the achievements.

My only other critique was what felt like a slight bias towards defending him in all situations. It seemed rare that the author allowed a character flaw or political mistake to go undefended and it happened so frequently that it seemed bordered on possible bias. At the same time, maybe it is time that John Jay WAS defended in such a way. Also, despite what I said above about not feeling an attachment for him like I did some of the other Founding Fathers, I did look up the homestead he retired to and died in and added it on my map of places to visit in the future, so there was something there indeed.

Overall, I’d certainly recommend this one to enjoyers of American history.

Here’s a final ranking of the biographies I read on each of the main Founding Fathers:

1) Washington: A Life by Ron Chernow (rated 5 stars)
2) John Adams by David McCullough (rated 5 stars)
3) Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power by Jon Meacham (rated 4 stars)
4) Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow (rated 4 stars)
5) The First American: The Life And Times Of Benjamin Franklin by H.W. Brands (rated 4 stars)
6) The Three Lives of James Madison by Noah Feldman (rated 4 stars)
7) John Jay: Founding Father by Walter Stahr (rated 4 stars)

[Alan Tomkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

John Jay was not as prominent a founding father, or quite as important, as John Adams, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Samuel Adams, Benjamin Franklin, or Alexander Hamilton. But he did make important contributions as President of the Continental Congress, Foreign Secretary for the government under the Articles of Confederation, minister to Spain and France, peace commissioner for the treaty ending the Revolutionary War, advocate for the Constitution, Supreme Court Chief Justice, co-author of New York’s state constitution, and Governor of New York. He was fair and extremely hard working. He was also rather severe and boring. This book is a decent biography of this accomplished public servant, but it wasn’t loads of fun and amusement.

[Brian Willis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jay is often considered a footnote in history for the passing amateur scholar, the first Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. His life is not often chronicled; this biography doesn't unearth any juicy anecdotes or stories. But as a negotiator, diplomat, and judge, we would hope for those temperaments in a person who accomplished what John Jay did.

Just as Washington's and Adams's fingerprints are all over the executive and legislative branches, Jay's are all over the judicial system in the United States. His Chief Justiceship set a number of precedents that still dominate the court. His influence led to the groundbreaking inclusion of the Supremacy Clause in the U.S. Constitution. He was a powerful governor of New York. His negotiation of the Treaty of Paris set geographical precedents still in place today.

Stahr focuses on the legal aspects of John Jay's life. But both author and subject were lawyers, and it is for his groundbreaking legal work that we continue to remember Jay.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: A full-length biography of this lesser-known founder, drawing on new material tracing his numerous contributions to the beginnings of the United States.

If you gathered the founders of the United States for a photograph, he would probably be standing in the back, and we might wonder, who is he? "He" is John Jay. He played critical roles in numerous deliberations, participated in critical negotiations, and held important offices. But he was never president, or a military hero. What John Jay was, was the consummate public servant.

Walter Stahr recounts the life of Jay from his beginnings as the son of a New York merchant, raised in a religious home on a farm in nearby Rye, in a faith from which he never departed. Graduating from King's College in 1764 with honors, he becomes a law clerk to pursue a career in law. After completing his clerkship, during a time of unrest as tensions over the Stamp Act developed, he and Robert Livingston team up to form a law firm in 1768. Some of his earliest work involved working on a commission to resolve boundary questions between New York and New Jersey, foreshadowing the work that would engage him throughout his life.

As resistance turns into revolution and eventually results in independence and American victory, Jay played a key role and Stahr narrates the specifics of each of the roles he played. He played the principal role in writing the constitution of New York state, a model for early state constitutions. He played a critical role in the negotiations in the Paris Peace Treaty, setting boundaries, particularly in what would become Minnesota, that defined the country's northern borders. Under the Articles of Confederation, he served as Secretary of Foreign Affairs for the infant country, helping establish her relations with the world. He was one of the framers of the Constitution, and worked hard behind the scenes for its ratification. He averted a renewed outbreak of war with Great Britain in 1794 that would have been disastrous for the infant country, negotiating what became justly known as the Jay Treaty. He served as the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, establishing the precedent of judicial review of legislation, and refusing to decide abstract questions. He concluded his career of public service as governor of New York, presiding over the move of the seat of government to Albany.

Stahr portrays a man of rectitude and hard work whose service over a thirty year period played a critical role in creating a country. His lawyerly skill with finding the right words to establish good agreements and his even-handedness allowed him to turn conflicts into compromises and agreements. In retirement, he worked with his son in founding the American Bible Society. Throughout his life, and in his declining years, his trust in the providence of God sustained him.

This account goes into significant depth in the episodes of Jays life, tracing the back and forth and frustrations of negotiations, including two relatively futile years in Spain. What I would propose is that Stahr's book offers us a portrait of America's first public servant, who excelled by negotiating good agreements, establishing good legal documents, understanding the details and structure of good government, and by shaping good political and judicial institutions. Such figures may not be political rock stars, but they are essential to good government in every era. It may do us well to pay attention to people like Jay. 

[Andy Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned from this thoroughly researched and comprehensive biography of John Jay. The author, Walter Stahr, persuasively argues that Jay's contributions to the founding of our country are not sufficiently recognized by history. Stahr details Jay's contributions in the first continental congresses though he did not attend the 1776 convention as he thought it was more important to stay in New York to create New York's state government and organize New York's defenses against the British. He later was President of the Continental Congress, an experience that caused him to later to become an advocate for a strong federal government. John Jay served well as one of our first diplomats, especially as a member of the Peace commission after the Revolutionary War. Jay's contributions as one of the three authors of the Federalist papers are fairly well known, but perhaps more important was his leadership in convincing New York state to ratify the constitution even though a clear majority of delegates to the convention had been elected as anti-Federalists. An example of Jay's persuasion was this simple sentence that he wrote to Washington that so well explains the separation of powers
"Let Congress legislate. Let others execute. Let others judge."
John Jay was our first Chief Justice. He did not serve long enough to make the mark that John Marshall did, but I was intrigued to read of his decisions that invalidated laws because they conflicted with the constitution, anticipating Marshall's later famous opinion in Marbury vs Madison.
Stahr does not shy away from the issue of slavery and the conflict between Jay's political opposition to slavery and his owning of slaves, including poor treatment of slaves who upset him. Stahr also gives much credit to Jay's wife, Sarah, who was a political partner who accompanied him on many of his trips to Europe.
This thorough biography of a somewhat forgotten founder of our country is well worth the read

[Steven Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fine biography of one of this country's Founders--John Jay. I have read biographies of many of the Founder--from Sam Adams to John Adams to James Madison to George Washington to Thomas Jefferson and so on. But I had never run across a portrayal of John Jay. When you think about it, this is rather strange. Look at his record: member of the Continental Congress and later its President, a key figure in peace negotiations on the continent, Secretary of Foreign Affairs for the Congress under the Articles of Confederation, he worked with others to have the Constitution ratified in New York (even though the odds seemed long)--including being on of the triumvirate who wrote the Federalist Papers (although his contributions were fewer in number than those of Madison and Alexander Hamilton), he served as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, as Governor of New York, and as a diplomat to develop a treaty of peace with the British Empire, and so on. . . .. Whew!

One of the strengths of this volume is a pretty straightforward depiction of Jay. He is not treated as superhuman but as a talented political figure who strove to realize his vision of the United States. He was able to accomplish much, being able to work with others well (there were quite a few cantankerous founders).

This is a work well worth reading to gain insight into one of the major Founders of the United States.

[John Becker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had attended John Jay College of Criminal Justice in N.Y.C. in the seventies but at the time had no knowledge of who Mr. Jay was other than some important lawyer. Since then, having read much on the American Revolution and the early Republic, John Jay's name was often mentioned in important ways. Then I discovered this fascinating biography and wow, what a revelation. He was much more than an important lawyer. He was an important founding father.

Jay served his country with distinction and played instrumental roles in executive, legislative, judicial and diplomatic positions. A member of the continental congress and its secretary of foreign affairs. Crafted the Treaty of Paris along with John Adams and Benjamin Franklin. Negotiated the Jay Treaty with England. Crafted the first constitution for the state of New York, later serving two terms as governor. One of the writers of the Federalist Papers with James Madison and Alexander Hamilton. He was the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Jay had a reputation as a very good lawyer and a man of integrity. Loyal to his wife, family and friends and a man of faith.

I enjoyed this biography very much. It added to my knowledge of the American Revolution and the nascent Constitutional Republic. Well researched by the author. I especially recommend this book to any lawyer with an interest in American History.

[Troy S · Rating 3 out of 5]

"All parties have their demagogues, and demagogues will never be patriots."

Previously, I viewed John Jay as an accomplice to the better known early American leaders who framed the Constitution, crafted the Treaty of Paris, and wrote the Federalist Papers. Since reading this biography, I recognize and agree with Stahr, that Jay certainly deserves his recognition of being a Founding Father.

Jay, like many in his day, were pretty complicated characters, and at times seemed like a walking contradiction. He held out longer than most others with trying to stay loyal to Britain, writing letters to multiple people professing opposing views on the topic. He was also opposed to slavery, but still owned slaves after supporting the founding of the US abolitionist movement. And he wanted to have good relations with Native Americans, but was guilty of allowing settlers take advantage of Native Americans in Western New York, while he was governor.

For all his flaws though, Jay was essential in establishing our nation through his Legislative, Judicial, Executive, and diplomatic public service. As far as I am aware, he is one of the only individuals to have served in all 3 branches on a Federal level, as well as at the state level (New York). He put country above his party and was diligent in maintaining the checks and balances of our government (likely because of his experience in all 3 branches).

Stahr does a good job researching his subject, as well as avoiding the usual flaw of biographers with their primary role being apologist first, and a researcher as secondary. That being said, there are more than a few chapters that could've used a more thorough editing process. For example, as important as the Jay Treaty was, going into it line by line became a little tiresome.

I would recommend this book to those who are interested in broadening their understanding of America's Founding Fathers, as Jay was certainly important. That being said, if you have not already read the works of Chernow, McCollough, Ellis, etc., I would recommend those prior to this.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

It seems to me that every student of history whose favorite period in American History is the Revolutionary War, knows relatively well the stories of Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Hamilton (especially now Hamilton, in the wake and furor over the musical of the same name...) Madison, and Monroe. After that, many would be hard-pressed to name a significant figure in American Revolutionary War history that would or could measure up to those giants, those icons, those myths and indeed the legends that were the "Founding Fathers."
John Jay is and should be the next person on that list. His contributions and sacrifices to his country for most of his life eclipse those of even some of the men I listed above (Hamilton can be excused for not really contributing more since he took a bullet in the liver, courtesy of the villain in our history books, Aaron Burr, sir...) in 1804.
A lawyer and diplomat; one of three authors of the Federalist; president of the Continental Congress; Justice of the Supreme Court; Governor of New York. These were but a few of jay's public achievements; the man in his private life was intensely fair minded, devoted to his wife and family, and had an integrity and rectitude that friend and foe alike could respect and admire.
Stahr does a great service to one of the Founding Fathers that seemingly gets forgotten, or at least overlooked, when we ponder and wonder about those days.

[Porter Broyles · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read Seward and Stanton by Stahr, this is the weakest of the three. It is a so-so book, but nothing really to get excited about, which was very disappointing. Seward and Stanton were great books that really helped you understand the period and the characters. I struggled through the last hundred pages or so of this book because it was so rough.

[Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Franklin, Schuyler, Greene, Hamilton, and Hancock are just a few names that will surface in nearly any book about the American Revolution. And why shouldn’t they? These men each played a distinct role to help lay the foundation for the blessings of liberty that we currently enjoy. However, there is one name that will often appear on a list of influential fathers but will rarely be elaborated on: John Jay. Most know the role that he played as the first Chief Justice of the United States but we often forget the important role that he played nearly every step of the great American Revolution. His wisdom, gravity, piety, and kind disposition won him respect among his peers and ultimately among the nation that he served. For 75 years there has hardly been a solid work on John Jay until now. In Walter Stahr’s “John Jay” he carefully and respectfully tries to impart to the reader a fresh vision of one of the great minds that helped put this country on a solid track toward independence and prosperity. Stahr’s work is relatively new but it was long overdue, and I think it will serve as a force of scholarship in the field of early American history. Here are some of the reasons why I think this work would be an excellent addition to anyone who is serious about investigating the founding fathers and their influence.

It is easy to gloss over Jay and not because he is not important or essential but because his life is not marked by anything unusual. Jefferson for example is a colorful man with many shades of contradiction while Washington seems to be a riddle to the reader. John Adams was pugnacious as well as controversial while Franklin is known for political acumen and flirtatious trysts with women half his age. Jay is something of a straight arrow that lives a very ordinary life; yet, Jay left a huge footprint on the political landscape of the American Revolution. Born to a tradesman in New York City Jay showed a quick, nimble mind from an early age. He entered King’s College at the age of 14 and finished his studies at the age of 18. By the time he was 22 years old he had finished his masters and was on his way to becoming one of New York’s up and coming lawyers. He may have lived a distinguished life were it not for his path colliding with the American Revolution and this was what transformed Jay among others from an ordinary citizen of the British Empire into a pioneering founder of the nation. Jay did all that was in his power to avoid any break between the colonies and their “mother country” but when it came time to call independence Jay was there and stood behind the decision whole-heartedly. Jay was among many things a patriot of his native homeland and while he was soft towards the British he knew when to stand up against them.

Over his long career Jay served the nation in a variety of capacities including: as delegate to the Second Continental Congress, Drafter of his State Constitution, Chief Justice of the New York Supreme Court, Peace Commissioner to France and Spain, Peace Commissioner to Great Britain, Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Contributor to the famous “Federalist Papers,” Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, and Governor of New York. Because he wore so many hats Jay had his hand in influencing the many government leaders he came in contact with. He was a temperate man who tended to be cautious about everything and everyone, and his policies were typically “middle of the road.” His pragmatic and realistic nature endeared him to most people in Congress, and he was the kind of man who was able to get things done because of it. He was a real family man who practiced his faith very devoutly. In our time, there is always question about the founding fathers in regards to their faith and the general consensus is that most were not solid believers in organized religion or the authority of the Bible. It so happens that Jay was one of our founders that happened to be very strong in the way he practiced his faith and was an adamant believer in the power of the Bible. He not only practiced his faith in theory but practiced it in real-life through active civic engagement, devotion to family as well as friends, and piety in his ecclesiastical relationships.

Stahr is a great writer and he writes in an easy and accessible manner that will appeal to a broad audience. He has a solid bibliography and it is clear that he has done his homework. In terms of the subject matter itself it would appear that he tends to be even-handed for the most part. Stahr exhibits a clear admiration for his subject matter; this is not necessarily a negative attribute. Caring for one’s subject matter allows an individual to write in a very passionate and meaningful way. However, the downside is that he is sometimes too soft on Jay. Like anyone Jay had his share of conflicts and I am sure that he was often at least a small part of the problem. When Stahr speaks about these conflicts it seems that he rarely implicates Jay as part of the problem and tends to place more of the responsibility on the other parties. I certainly expect that he would paint his subject in the best possible light, yet at times I felt that I did not really gain a solid sense on the Jay’s shortcomings. I do not expect Jay to be painted as devilish or evil, but I do think that a great feature of biography is learning our subject's failures. Jay was not a man of great ardor which allowed him to reach across aisles that others were not always able to do so. However, I am not saying that Stahr that was not objective but rather that I felt this was an area that was not developed properly. I still think that that book was excellent and well worth the long investment involved in reading it.

Of course, it goes without saying that Jay's most important role was serving as the First Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, and his appointment to said position reflects well on the ability of George Washington to spot the right man for the right job. Jay was so cautious and moderate in many positions that he was right man to set necessary precedent for that role; albeit, it would be John Marshall who would accomplish the most in setting precedent for the job of Chief Justice. However, where he is often neglected is in regards to his work in negotiating a peace settlement with the British. He tended to be pragmatic but when it came time to sit down and hash out a peace agreement Jay did not mind doing everything he could to make sure that America got the most out of the deal. He drove a hard bargain but he was the right man for the job. He was the missing piece of the puzzle when one considers that he was the middle point between Adams and Franklin. His even nature made his more palatable to the English than Adams, yet his rigid and formal nature was easier on british tastes than Dr. Frankin. He was very active in writing, editing, and submitting both the first and second drafts of the treaty that secured independence. After the war it was essential to promote a more filial relationship with the British Empire and Dr. Stahr argues that it was Jay's treaty that paved the way for future relations with the British. He was an excellent ambassador who not only exhibited poise, candor, and good humor but who made sure that he did all within his power to get as much as possible for his native country.

What am I walking away with as I completed my journey with Jay? I think that Dr. Bernstein was correct when he said that the founding fathers did not have a cohesive vision for what they hoped America would look like. As I read this book, I realized that Jay’s vision of America with a robust and powerful central authority is in many ways still at play. I don’t imagine that the nationalists of the time ever thought we would be wiretapped in our own homes yet the kind of government they envisioned was broad, brooding, and strong. The reality is that as I get to know these men I come to find that they each had competing views of America’s future and the America we have inherited is in part the one they gave us. That is not a popular view but it seems to be so. Take for example: Dr. Ferling discusses how Madison and Hamilton were concerned about the growing sense of egalitarianism and the democratization of the American public before the Constitutional Convention in 1787. Nevertheless, this was exactly the sort of society that Jefferson and Patrick Henry were hoping to see. My point is that Jay was a strong nationalist and while I respect his amazing talents and contributions I recognize that his support for a strident, far-reaching government would be something that I could never support today. That being said, I have a great deal of respect for Justice Jay and without him we might not have some of the blessings of liberty we enjoy today.

I give this book: 1 star = Research. 1 star = writing. 1 star = bibliography. 1 star = readability. The final star I reserve due to the previously mentioned critique and because there were spots where the book hit some boring lulls.

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

The reliability of calm determination.

Walter Stahr's 2005 biography of Founding Father John Jay stands out precisely for its understated nature. This is a compliment, as Jay emerges as one of the most steadfast and reasonable figures in the Revolutionary era. Amid a generation of lawyers, Jay is notably "lawyerly"—neither as whimsical as Jefferson, as sensitive as Adams, nor as unpredictable as Hamilton.

From his early role as president of the Continental Congress to his work as a diplomat, first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and Governor of New York, Jay remained a constant, reliable presence. While more flamboyant Revolutionary figures captured the spotlight, Jay diligently worked behind the scenes, contributing significantly to the cause of independence.

A solid biography of a solid figure.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Jay: Founding Father by Walter Stahr is the first biography about John Jay in over sixty years. In the past sixty plus years a mountain of new knowledge about the early nation has piled up and Stahr uses it all with confidence and critical detachment. Jay had a remarkable career. He was president of the Continental Congress, commissioner to Spain and France, secretary of foreign affairs (later called Secretary of State) a negotiator of the treaty that won the United States its independence in 1783, one of the authors of The Federalist Papers, first chief justice of New York, first Chief justice of the Supreme Court and 2 time governor of New York. He was a very private man of unfailingly sober disposition who left his mark more in significant deeds than in memorable works and commanding decisions.

Stahr cover Jay’s entire life unlike the other biographers. Jay graduated from King’s College (later called Columbia University) and then read law with a prominent New York lawyer. Like John Marshall John Jay joined a debating club and was active in debate. As an attorney Jay was active in negating disputes about boarder lines between the colonies. This helped him to become an excellent negotiator. Jay married Sarah Van Brugh Livingston (1756 1802) in 1774. Sarah was a well educated woman for her day and was fluent in English and French. Unlike women of her day Sarah chose to travel to Spain and France with Jay when he was appointed the peace commissioner (The U.S. was not recognized as a country in those days so he could not be called an Ambassador). Crossing the Atlantic was dangerous in those days. Sarah gave birth to three children during their years aboard in Spain and France. Sarah was more political astute than her husband; he often sought her advise on politics. As the wife of the Nations Chief diplomat she put on elegant dinners for government and foreign dignitaries. When she was the first lady of New York she drew upon her European experience along with her instinctive charm, she quickly came to be regarded as New York’s most glamorous hostess. John and Sarah wrote long letters to each other. He often discussed government matters with her and sought her advice much as John and Abigail Adams. When he was gone on business, she managed the family domestic affairs, overseeing the purchase and sale of land, stock and directing the improvements at their property in Bedford New York. She also kept informed about the political scene in New York.

Jay drafted the New York constitution and was Chief Justice of New York Supreme Court. Unlike many of the founding fathers Jay was a religious man. Jay neglected the job of Chief Justice because of his work in negotiating a peace settlement with Britain. His rigid and formal nature was palatable to the English more than was Adams and Franklin. Dr. Stahr argues that it was Jay’s Treaty that paved the way for future relations with the British. Jay vision of America was with a robust and powerful central authority was in line with Washington, Madison and Marshall but opposed by Jefferson. Jay envisioned a larger America and wasted no effort in taking the Mississippi away from Spain, France and England. Jay was an advocate of the rule of law and property rights. When Chief Justice there were only a few cases and that came toward the end of his term. Jay did set up the guidelines for the operation of the court. In those day there were only 5 Justices on the court.

The author obviously cares about his subject matter and writes in a passionate and meaningful way. Stahr is an excellent writer and writes in an easy and accessible manner. The writing and research are excellent. I now not only have a feeling for who jay was as a person but also what his place in history is.

Walter B. Stahr is an international attorney also interested in the American Revolution. He graduated from Stanford, Harvard and the Kennedy School of Public Policy. I had read his biography of William Henry Seward published in 2012 which I thoroughly enjoyed. I understand he is currently working on a biography of Edwin McMasters Stanton. I have been so impressed with his writing and research ability I will have to read his next book. Now whenever I get to the east coast I would like to visit the John Jay Homestead in Bedford Hills, New York. I read this as an e-book on my Kindle app for my iPad.

[Joseph Wycoff · Rating 3 out of 5]

John Jay once advised his son, “Few books (if properly read) afford more useful lessons than the lives of great men.” Unfortunately for Walter Stahr, Jay does not warrant inclusion in the revolutionary pantheon of great men and a biography of Jay's life yields few useful lessons to readers. Stahr, an international lawyer by trade, ably offers an exhaustive account of Jay's contributions as President of the Continental Congress, a minister to Spain and the Treaty of Paris negotiations, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, and the first Chief Justice of the United States (each official post lending its title to a chapter). Stahr however presents little new by way of analysis or arguments to augment Jay's legacy, as his three-page conclusion to a nearly four-hundred page biography attests. A French foreign minister, America's most important ally in the Revolutionary War, offered one of the more useful insights from the book: “Mr. Jay's prejudices and passions insensibly become those of Congress, and that without being aware of it this assembly is no more than an instrument” (198-99). As Stahr states in his introduction, Jay was a “reluctant revolutionary” and a “reluctant democrat” (xiii) whose political and professional life demonstrated little conviction for Enlightenment thought or human rights prior to the war. American patriots, however, had to enlist opportunistic men without revolutionary principles who would have been enthusiastic American Tories otherwise. In this respect, a biography of John Jay serves to illuminate how religious, racial and national prejudices coexisted, and even displaced, the high-minded political principles expressed in America's founding documents. Jay had a deep and abiding antipathy for Catholicism, going so far as to propose an oath of allegiance for the citizens of New York, according to Stahr, “that would deprive Catholics of the right to own land or participate in government” (78). While it was not uncommon in this time for partisans to propose oaths to disenfranchise political enemies, Jay's prejudice persisted and must have been known to his national colleagues after his short and unsuccessful stint as President of the Continental Congress in 1778-79. His religious sentiments clearly clouded his understanding of American national interests, as his reaction to the Franco-American alliance at the height of the Revolution suggests: “What the French treaty may be, I know not. If Britain would acknowledge our independence, and enter into a liberal alliance with us, I should prefer a connection with her to a league with any power on earth” (88). His predictably fruitless appointment as the minister to Spain appears all the more insensible in historical perspective. Likewise, his negotiating tactics to end the war repeatedly cast suspicion on the French, which Jay may have hoped would encourage British negotiators to “cut the cord that ties us [America] to France” (154). His actions emboldened British officials to seek concessions in two treaties that became lasting sources of tension between the two countries: Americans' prewar debts to British merchants, British occupation of American forts in the northwest, and the impressment of American citizens into the British navy. Perhaps, Jay's adherence to personal prejudice over political principles is no more apparent than in his self-aggrandizing nativism. While abroad, he rejected the idea of his becoming “a citizen of the world,” a unifying notion for multinational revolutionaries in America, and he opined that “perhaps nature is wiser in tying our hearts to our native soil” (185). A chauvinist who profited from African slavery in America during his lifetime and who ruled in favor of “illegal negotiations” (348) to acquire Native American territories as Chief Justice, Jay once reflected on his own good fortune as a British colonial: “This being a land of light and liberty, I bless that it is the land of my nativity” (195). Stahr's biography reads like an amicus brief on behalf of John Jay's political career, but evidence to the contrary nonetheless intrudes to diminish a sense of greatness for this founding father of the United States of America.

[Andrew Canfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

The tale of an often overlooked American founding father is told with impressive detail by historian Walter Stahr. John Jay: Founding Father sketches out the life of a man who was a giant in colonial, New York, Federalist, and early U.S. politics. Its relentlessly compelling storytelling places events against the backdrop of a country trying to decide its future direction once friction with Great Britain arises.

The book tells of John’s rise through King’s College in the 1760s alongside other individuals who would go on to play major roles in the early days of America’s nationhood a decade later. He would rub elbows with fellow New Yorkers William and Robert Livingston (his future law partner) while attending college there, men whose family name was a pillar in New York state politics. John would go on to wed a Livingston-Mary-from that august family in 1774.

His growing law practice was crowded out once John began to take on political duties. The closing of Boston Harbor after the tea party caused major blowback in the colonies and growing tension with Parliament, and it was around this period when John began to get involved in the political sphere. Working with New Yorkers stalwarts like William Duane and Peter van Schaack, he sought to find a middle ground with a Britain he still wanted to remain connected to.

Respected for his abilities, Jay soon was nominated to attend the Continental Congress in Philadelphia as relations with the mother country continued to spiral downward. He would eventually help write the draft of the paper which, thanks to John Dickinson, would become the Olive Branch Petition attempting to urge reconciliation with the King of England.

During 1774-1775 Jay was often seen as one of the more conservative members of the colonial leadership. He was cautious about fully separating from Britain until a stint in the Provincial Congress in White Plains, during which time he backed the recently written Declaration of Independence by stating he and his colleagues “approve the same, and will, at the risk of our lives and fortunes, join with the other colonies in supporting it.”

In 1778 Jay would serve as New York Supreme Court Justice and President of the Continental Congress. It was during his time in the latter post that he became friends with George Washington. Jay was already becoming close with Alexander Hamilton, linking him to two of the top Federalists of the late eighteenth century. His time as Continental Congress President saw Jay dealing with everything from funding for the army to a boundary dispute between Vermont and New York.

He would not just serve the cause of independence domestically. In 1780 Jay was dispatched to Spain in an effort to gain that country as an ally against Britain, a task which he had to sync up with Benjamin Franklin’s ongoing efforts in Paris to ensure France stayed a backer of American independence. He had a largely miserable experience in Spain, with men like Minister Floridablanca giving him the runaround on a routine basis.

From Madrid, Jay then headed to Paris once word was reached of the peace conference set to begin there following the battle of Yorktown and Britain’s willingness to negotiate.

Working alongside Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Britain’s negotiator Richard Oswald, Jay did some of his most productive work while in Europe during the 1783 Paris Peace Conference. Walter Stahr writes about these negotiations with the depth of a historian who really did his background work, with the characters fluidly coming in and out of the negotiations. Trade relations and fisheries were the sort of seemingly mundane matters which had to be ironed out before Britain would decide to call it quits.

There were other issues which Britain would later accuse America of bad faith on, particularly when it came to restoring what was seized from Loyalists during the war. When Americans later tried to charge Britain with violating the treaty by demanding Britain abide by its terms and abandon their forts in the western territories, Britain turned around and said America had to first make good on their promises to make good on their own promise to compensate Loyalists. Jay would later concede that the British were actually right to accuse Americans of bad faith in not following through on this promise.

Jay would go on to serve as the Secretary of Foreign Affairs In the interim Articles of Confederation years between the end of the Revolutionary War and the start of Washington's first term in 1789.

According to Stahr, he would lay the groundwork for the idea that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land, but in 1786 this was considered “radical, for most people considered the state legislatures as the only bodies authorized to make laws. Jay presaged not only the Supremacy Clause; he suggested the novel concept that both the national and the state governments could be sovereign, in their separate ways.”

During these interim years, he also teamed up with Alexander Hamilton to draft the Federalist Papers. These were written to convince the New York legislature to ratify the new federal Constitution, and Jay set himself on the side of those who, like Hamilton, wanted a powerful central government. He played a major role at the Constitutional Convention, working with Federalists and antifederalists alike to find compromises so a palatable final version could be created.

It truly is astounding to see just how much Jay accomplished on behalf of this new country. He seems omnipresent in the last quarter century of the 1700s, making huge contributions in domestic and foreign policy. He was even appointed the nation’s first Supreme Court Justice, a position he would hold from 1790-1795.

Although the judicial branch was still in flux and its role would not become concrete until John Marshall’s time as Chief Justice, Chapter 12 in the book nevertheless lays out the major precedents he set as the first person to lead the court beginning on February 1st, 1790. The work at this juncture was a lot of boilerplate stuff; much of it dealt with matters like pensions owed to Revolutionary War veterans. But he also helped establish the precedent that the court would not decide abstract political questions but only concrete cases.

As the French Revolution spun out of control in France, Jay’s colors shone through in terms of the limits he felt should be placed on democracy. While no believer in a monarchy, he would compare pure democracy to pure rum in its intoxicating qualities “and with a thousand mad pranks and fooleries.”

Jay actually stood for election to New York governorship in 1792, a close race which he narrowly lost to George Clinton. This illustrated how the role of a Supreme Court justice has evolved, as a justice running for public office while on the bench would be a no-go in modern politics.

Perhaps his most controversial accomplishment would be the 1794 Jay Treaty. This commercial treaty with America’s former master was at first highly controversial in the United States, due in no small part due to the pro-British inclinations many felt Jay and other Federalists held. Stahr indicates that once the initial furor died down, however, the positives in this treaty were seen by many sober Americans. The book points out that this treaty “Avoided a disastrous war with Britain” for which America was ill-prepared in 1794.

The book notes that Jay “was not as gifted an author as Thomas Jefferson or Thomas Paine, but his political papers…helped define and inspire the nation. His year as President of the Continental Congress was not a good year from the Congress, but perhaps his tact prevented even more damage. During his five years as Secretary Foreign Affairs, he provided crucial continuity and solidity to the Confederation government. His prominent anti-slavery stance (although he owned them himself) helped not only to end slavery in New York but also to establish the moral foundation for its end throughout America. He did not make the Supreme Court the power it would become under John Marshall, but he helped define what federal courts could do, such as review statutes for constitutionality…”

The sheer amount he contributed to shaping what the United States would become certainly ranks him with John Marshall and Alexander Hamilton alongside other non-presidents in the contributions to republicanism department.

John Jay: Founding Father is really a spectacular book. It places its subject in his time and place and shows how the ballast provided by a small group of men helped prevent the project of early America from going off the rails. Readers will come away with a solid understanding of just how much Jay did to both ensure independence, a just peace after the war, and the strong foundation a growing United States would be constructed on.

This nonfiction work is deserving of five stars, a credit to its author and the man he brings to life in the book's pages.

-Andrew Canfield Denver, Colorado

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Walter Stahr provides an excellent look at this often forgotten founding father. Jay was the lawyer of his day serving on the New York Supreme court and eventually first chief Justice of the US Supreme court. He would be called on several occasions to serve his country and always did so with distinction. He was president of the Continental Congress and served at a time to help relieve the supply situation that was plaguing Washington at Valley Forge. In his career he was also sent to Spain as our ambassador and while accomplishing little there found himself in the right place at the right time to attend the peace commission with Franklin and Adams. I have read many books on the peace convention but Stahr does an excellent job of giving fascinating tidbits about the negotiations and why the positions existed.
Of all the revolutionary biographies I have read this is one of the few that really goes into the intricacies of the peace process and what the major sticking points of the treaty were. It provides new and valuable insight into process and really sees the foundation for how the international system looked following the Revolution. Jay's service as secretary of state at times left him the sole architect of the United States future given the lack of quorum and general disagreement of congress. Following the United States constitution which Jay helped to write several Federalist papers the tide would again change for Jay.
John Jay would become the nations first Chief Justice and help define two unique roles of the court. The first would be as an advisor to the president on interpreting international treaties and their significance to US law. He would also help define the circuit riding which he thought should not be part of the courts duties. He would only leave the court to travel as a special envoy to England in order to negotiate a treaty to avoid a war in 1794. Finally retiring from the court to become governor of New York during a pivotal time as the state transformed itself. Overall his life hangs in the background of the founding fathers but without him many of their great deeds could not have been accomplished. This is a fascinating biography to read for those who want to see the behind the scenes activities of the American Revolution.

[Zachary Hadsell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This biography on John Jay was okay. Walter Stahr does a decent job of covering all of the main events in Jay’s life but it remains surface level throughout. His coverage of the work that went into the Treaty of Paris in 1783 and Jay’s time as Chief Justice of SCOTUS were particularly good. Stahr is a lawyer so he imparts some interesting commentary on how decisions made in the first Supreme Court would be considered as unorthodox by today’s standards, but they were still trying to figure things out as they went.

Stahr has a tendency to condescend the reader, not in an arrogant or harsh way, but in a way that assumes the reader can’t follow along or understand things as they are described. He uses “In other words…..” regularly throughout and then proceeds to describe the same point in more simplistic terms, which I thought to be unnecessary.

Stahr also glosses over the controversy surrounding Jay’s Treaty, which I found to be disappointing, as I thought a biography on Jay would be one of the better sources exploring those issues.

[Pete daPixie · Rating 4 out of 5]

J.J.'s biography by Mr Stahr was a very enjoyable read, even if it was written by a lawyer about a lawyer.
The book took me through American Independence and the Continental Congress and Jay's key role in the development and ratification of the U.S. Constitution. He served as Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Chief Justice and Governor of New York.
As his son Peter Augustus had written on his tombstone: In memory of John Jay, eminent among those who asserted the liberty and established the independence of his country, which he long served in the most important offices, legislative, executive, judicial and diplomatic, and distinguished in them all by his ability, firmness, patriotism and integrity.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's must be clear to any readers this biography that John Jay has been greatly underrated as a founding father. I believe the mystery of the snub by posterity is solved with this biography. The fact is, Jay was just not an incredibly interesting guy. That's not meant as a knock on him, it actually speaks to his respectability. The reason he's often overlooked is due to the fact that he just didn't draw attention to himself and he didn't have serious personal scandals (the worst was a lawsuit he filed against a young family member for debt collection). The man was the very embodiment of prudence and virtue. He was well-known and liked in his time and deserves a lot of credit for his amazing accomplishments. His character makes for an admirable but fairly dry biography.

[Lauren Moen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ran into John Jay based on a previous book. Many of us may remember the name from a US History class we took years ago. It turns out, books about him are quite rare.

I liked the book because it amplified my understanding of several areas of early US History, that are traditionally glossed over or ignored completely in traditional history classes. Also, it was interesting to see the personal confidence and trust many of the traditional heroes of the revolution and early years of the republic had in him.

The book at time had a little difficulty with chronology, but this seemed more related to public and personal narratives, that were occurring at the same time. A good read for us armchair historians.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve obviously heard the name John Jay and heard about Jay’s Treaty but I really didn’t know much about the man. This is a really thorough biography, and my main takeaway is that Jay isn’t that well known because he wasn’t a drama queen. He seems like such a steady, even-keeled dude. He rarely rose to bait, he didn’t fall into party traps, he wasn’t quick to anger or respond to slights, and therefore there isn’t a ton of tea to spill. He did his job, did it well, made a few mistakes, loved his family, believed in God, and paid his bills. He was around for so many of the seminal events of the United States, his life was naturally interesting and yet it was also very staid.

[Jesse Bradstreet · Rating 4 out of 5]

7.5/10

Not too many biographies about John Jay out there, despite him definitely being in the top 8, as far as Founding Fathers go. Author Walter Stahr does a good job of making a comprehensive swath through Jay's life. If the book is a bit dry, it's because Jay is as well, but it's definitely an interesting and essential read to any US history buff, big or small.

[Ian Racey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good biography of one of the central founding fathers, who for some reason is much more invisible than the six or seven who rival him in importance. It’s organised by office he held—chapter on the New York committees, chapter on president of the congress, chapter on minister to Spain, etc.

[Jeffrey Blake · Rating 4 out of 5]

an excellent biography of this often overlooked and less revered founding father, and the first in nearly 7 decades. Well researched and dispassionate.

[Daniel DeLappe · Rating 3 out of 5]

A precise history of an interesting person. A short book, but I feel I got the complete story on John jay.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Jay is one of the lesser-known founding fathers, not because his contributions merited it, but because he was overshadowed by more well-known and dramatic figures such as Adams, Jefferson, and Franklin in nearly every aspect of his service to the early republic. Alas, such is the fate of the quiet, steady, and middle-of-the-road characters who are happy to work behind the scenes.

The author has quite obviously done his homework, quoting extensively from original sources, such as Jay's private letters and correspondence with congress, and he does a great job presenting the subject's life from beginning to end. He’s scholarly yet engaging, and sympathetic, yet objective. This book could have easily been twice as long, as there are parts where the author chooses to present events briefly, and it could have been half the size, as he does go into great detail in other parts.

In short, Jay was one of the most low-key of the Founding Fathers, stayed friends with nearly everyone, no matter which side of the political spectrum they fell on, and was a product of his time in terms of having high ideals and morals, but also equivocating and prevaricating when it came to those morals impeding the practical aspects of his daily life. Yes, he was the leader of the NY manumission society and treated his slaves with the kind paternalism one could hope for in a slaveowner, but he also owned human beings until his death and sold them, splitting families, when they were problematic. Yes, he offered to free a few, but only rarely, and when they were no longer of use to him. He was a devoted federalist, but was also occasionally willing to compromise when it was of personal interest to those he cared for.

He was not a memorable character in the way Sam Adams was, or necessary in the way George Washington was, but he was a man of the time, and he did serve his country faithfully and with devotion, trying his best, and sacrificing his time, energy, and reputation for US independence and eventual establishment. He may not have been there in the "hot" times of the Continental Congress and the resulting Declaration of Independence, or the Constitutional Convention, but he did help the country in the equally important though less known Treaty of Paris, wrote several of the Federalist papers in preparation for leading his state to ratify the constitution, negotiated the Jay treaty, and was just the sort of patriot but compromiser that was needed for the important but sort of “no firebrand or superstar needed” jobs.

This book is an excellent overview, and while I hope for additional Jay scholarship in the future, partly because it is wonderful to find a person that can bridge the political gap and sustain a rich correspondence with the most vigorous federalists and the most passionate Jeffersonians at the same time, this is a phenomenal start. I wouldn't recommend it for people who have a casual interest in the general lines of the Revolution, but for those who wish for a deeper understanding, this is an excellent resource.