Lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence

by Benson John Lossing

“It was treason against the home government, yet perfect allegiance to the law of right.” At a meeting of the Continental Congress in July 1776, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Declaration of Independence was signed. From across the Thirteen Colonies, fifty-six men — including two future presidents — put their names to a document formally explaining why they had voted to declare independence from Great Britain. It was an act that would have an irreversible effect on America, and history. Although this event has given rise to many stories and legends with the passage of time, there is little doubting the reverence with which the signers of the Declaration are held. In his 1848 work, B. J. Lossing presents a collection of brief sketches of “the chief events in the lives of the men who stood sponsors at the baptism in blood of our Infant Republic.” Those men Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams as well as many more in this fascinating history of The Lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence. Benson John Lossing (1813-1891) was a prolific and popular American historian, authoring more than forty books in his lifetime. He was best known for his works on the American Revolution and American Civil War. Albion Press is an imprint of Endeavour Press, the UK's leading independent digital publisher. For more information on our titles please sign up to our newsletter at www.endeavourpress.com. Each week you will receive updates on free and discounted ebooks. Follow us on @EndeavourPress and on Facebook via We are always interested in hearing from our readers. Endeavour Press believes that the future is now.

Genres: History, Biography, American History, Nonfiction, Politics, American Revolution, Historical

328 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1848

About the author

Benson John Lossing was a prolific and popular American historian, known best for his illustrated books on the American Revolution and American Civil War and features in Harper's Magazine. He was a charter trustee of Vassar College.

Reviews

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned so much!

Short, but thourough, biographies and notes about the lives of every man who signed the Declaration of Independence.

There is a copy of the Declaration at the back of the book, along with an essay breaking down every part of it. The essay explained every accusation mentioned against the King/Great Britain, why it hurt the American colonies, how they tried to fix it, and eventually why they chose Independence from Britain as the best and only choice they had left. For the good of their children, and their children after them.

I had doubted before that we really should have left Britain. That any of it was worth it, or important enough to break away. Now, I know the details I've always wondered and didn't know how to find. I know the why's behind every word in the Declaration. That means a lot to me. I'm grateful this book was written, and others cared enough to preserve it for the almost 200 years until today.

A full copy of the Articles of Confederation is included at the back, with a few notes.

A full copy of The United States Constitution, and the current amendments in 1848, is included with some commentary and many notes.

A full copy of the Stamp Act is included at the back of the book as well. (A very long and dull legal document. But there were some interesting things here and there!)

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reads a bit like a textbook, which, incidentally, it was at one point (late 1800s). I had hoped to have more of an inside & more personal look into the lives of the signers of the Declaration. Many of the biographies seemed a bit lacking in information & made me hunger for more information - in particular a handful of them whose demise happened during the Revolutionary War and seemingly at the hands of the British. I do appreciate, however, that information or documentation concerning many people from that time period may simply not be available. Most helpful, however, was the addresses to the particular grievances against King George III in the Declaration following the biographies.

[John Yelverton · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books that I have ever read, as it shows the private and Christian lives of the men who created the greatest country on Earth.

[Chad · Rating 2 out of 5]

Do not do the Audiobook!!! The book is "read" by a computer, literally . It is one of those programs that is able to read. The mechanics of it are so boring and monotone. The pronunciation is sometimes very poor. Sometimes it even sounded like the computer program was sounding out the harder words. Not even kidding. I felt like Max Headroom was reading this book to me.

I had higher hopes and expectations for this book. The first 56 chapters are divided by each signer of the declaration and some info is given about each, h0wever, it feels like I was watching a presentation by an 8th grade US history class assigned oral reports on each signer. There were small snippets of worthwhile information in a few of these "reports."

The "good" part of the book is the last few chapters where it dedicates a significant amount of time to discuss the Declaration of Independence in detail, apolitical for the most part. "Just the facts ma'am!" It also discussed the Federal Constitution, as it spurs from the Declaration. It also talks in detail about the Stamp Act. These parts of the book almost make it salvageable.

Like I said, I had higher hopes to get in depth and personal with the lives of the signers, but this book presents it like you are on an audio-tour of an art show with a portrait of each signer and you move from photo to photo with a quick synopsis of their life. And maybe that was the exact intent of the author to begin with? It does say it is a "Museum Audiobook." Note to self... pay attention to reviews next time.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

We read The Declaration every day prior to reading one biography from this book. . .most enriching.

[goddess · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book basically gives quick bios on each of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Though not necessarily an exciting read, it's interesting to take a look at the individuals who put their lives on the line to sign this great document. These men seemed to have a number of things in common, including a love of liberty and freedom. These men were not placed on this earth at the same time and roughly same place by happenstance. That so many men trained and educated could come together and risk their lives and fortunes (not small for many of them) is nothing short of miraculous.

[Dick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great reminder of the price paid by those who fought for and created this country. Their sacrifices were many and in some cases . . . total. Make our current crop of politicians look pretty pathetic. Highly recommend to anyone interested in the basic foundation of our country and the freedoms that they so valiently fought for.

[Ann Lewis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Aborted the read. Each chapter has a list of facts about each particular person. Not a very rewarding collection. It was, however, written in 1848.

[Anna Kinkade · Rating 5 out of 5]

The signers sacrificed so much, and yet most Americans don't even know they're names. I really recommend this book.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

The publisher’s synopsis notwithstanding, I would not recommend this for “children,” but I would for a slightly older student. The prose would be too plain and too repetitive for any child I’ve ever known, and the latter parts of the book were hard for even me to understand.

That said, there is value here for the older student or the adult, and I’m happy to have this book in my collection. I’ve discovered that I enjoy it when a book itself and the writing therein are historic artifacts, because they become a part of the very story they are telling. In this case, a few of the facts I came across are out of favor today (for instance, the last words of John Adams), and the author’s obvious intent to simply glorify the signers cannot be missed. But for the time and purpose that it was written, it makes perfect sense.

Lossing clearly favors the most Christian of the signers, and completely ignores the faults of any of them. Many of the signers served on “the most important committees,” but none seem to have sat at the less important tables. Everyone did their job with the “utmost fidelity,” and none just kind of dialed it in. Slavery is barely mentioned, except in the context of the colonists’ slavery to the crown. But again, that makes sense for the book’s 1848 publication, as slavery was still legal and was a very controversial subject, even in the North where the author lived his whole life.

Despite the necessary repetition, Lossing was reasonably successful at referring to the Declaration of Independence in each early chapter in a different way, without his efforts becoming comical. He gave the most attention to Thomas Jefferson, and included the non-signer Robert R. Livingston.

The second half of the book contained the full text followed by dissections of the Declaration itself, the Articles of Confederation, and the US Constitution through its first twelve amendments. The footnotes for the Constitution were too legalistic for me to get through, and sometimes the small print took up nearly the entire page! The book also included the stamp act in full, which was also quite repetitive, but provides a good idea of why the act was so obnoxious to the colonists.

My rating: 4 for those who understand the context for and the times in which this book was written; 2 for those who don’t.

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This older book looks at the lives of the signers of the declaration of independence. As there are 56 signers, the bios are brief (only 2-3 pages per person), but it's enough to give you a sense of who these founding fathers were.

The book also includes historical background on the declaration of independence, the document itself, as well as a commentary of sorts of the declaration. Also included are the article of confederation, the constitution, and the British Stamp Act that set things hurtling towards the revolutionary war.

Interesting read.

[Lynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book. I didn't realize it was written in 1856. Very flowery and you can tell the biographer was a fan of the founding fathers. Most of the biographies were centered around the person's education and public life. It also has the Stamp Act and the Constitution at the back. The print was tiny and at times hard to read. The author did give background information at the events leading up to the Revolution.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though this is a reprint of an earlier book (1848)and had "stilted language," I enjoyed it. I also learned quite a bit about the signers of the Declaration of Independence. The second half of the book are the major documents of USA independence--as appearing at that time, of course. Some of the signers were hardly affected by the Revolutionary War--and some lost everything, including their health.

[Ken · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a reprint of the 1848 edition. It gives brief vignettes of all the signers of the Declaration of Independence. It tells of their lives before and after 1776. They were an exceptional group of men whose success in life to that point gave them, the confidence to do what they did. A few lost everything during the war, but the majority successes and service to their country kept on. They were an exceptional group that does not come together very often.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a light and easy read (both because it is an 1848 reprint so dated language) plus the density of the Constitution and related documents. One of those books every American should read to be reminded of the sacrifices of our founding fathers (and their families) as well as the brilliance of their legacy. A book I will save.

[Addie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great resource for understanding more of the background behind the men who signed the Declaration of Independence, as well as looking in depth into the Constitution, the Confederation, the Stamp Act, & most importantly the Declaration of Independence. Quite wordy at moments, but well worth reading to understand history better.

[William Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lives of the Signers (originally published in 1848) is a historical reference to the Godly men, the 56 signers, who risk their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor to declare and win America's Independence. It's so nice to read a historically accurate book that tells the incredible stories of each of the Signers. This book should be mandatory reading in every school. Highly recommend!!

[Jared · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would that every American read this book. The courage and sacrifice of men who gave up property, wealth, and ease for freedom. How easily we do the reverse. The historical commentary on the DofI, Art of Conf, and Const are also interesting.

[Celeste Batchelor]

This one is going on our year-long reading list. We are reading about one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence each week. It is interesting that so many of them had similar educations.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book!

[Jessica Partlow · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is a bit dry. The “Wives of the Signers” book gave more information about the challenges the families actually went through because their names were affixed to such an enraging document to the British army, and this was like a bunch of resumes with a few interesting footnotes. I liked the part with the Declaration of Independence in its first draft form and also the listing out of the reasons supporting each of the claims in the Declaration. Anyway, I learned some cool new facts, and happy for that!

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some valuable insights on the courage, integrity and what was risked by our founding fathers for the freedom we enjoy in the United States. The footnotes were intriguing and informative, and there were some themes that I drew from the mini biographies that were helpful.

It is, however, very, dry reading. I don't know that what I gained was worth the trudging through I did.

[Michael Toleno · Rating 5 out of 5]

About two or three pages are devoted to each of the 56 signers of the [United States] Declaration of Independence. Most lost their lives or fortunes. This should be required reading for students of American history.

[Carol Guthrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A preprint of an 1848 original. Whether or not we find the record all-encompassing, it is taken from historical records. I found it worth the read.

[Katherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good Lord, is this how they wrote history in the 1840s?
It has not dated well. I’ll leave it at that. May be good for small children.

[Ricardo Fernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Old edition but an interesting read.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This history of the signers uses real words. Beautiful words which describe each character, quality, ideal and action.

[Ross Heinricy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite literally when these brave men signed this document we call the Declaration of Independence they were putting their lives, their families and their fortunes on the line. They had everything to lose and as you read this book you will find that some very well indeed lost all they had to secure freedom for generations to come. A very good read and an opportunity to see more than just a name - but a person and a personality.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gave short but complete enough biographies of each of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. It also went into the problems with more depth than I've read about the colonists had leading up to the Declaration and after it was signed with Great Britain extreme hardships on the people. I would greatly recommend reading this book!!!