The Founding Fathers Also Had to Work for a Living

Part of celebrating Independence Day is to remember the brave men (and women) who risked their lives to found this country and create the first democratic nation in 514 years.

Since this is an employment site, and Founding Father is not a paying gig, I thought I’d take a look at what some of the more familiar founders did for a living.

John Adams (1735 – 1826) was a schoolteacher and a lawyer. Later he would be the first US vice president, the second president, and an ambassador.

Samuel Adams (1722 – 1803) worked as a brewer (duh), publisher and failed entrepreneur. Later, he was Governor of Massachusetts.

Benjamin Franklin (1706 – 1790) was an popular author, and a printer and inventor. He invented the lightning rod, bifocals, the Franklin stove, a carriage odometer, the glass harmonica, the public library and the fire department. Later he was an ambassador and Postmaster General. Somehow, he finagled his way onto the C-note.

John Hancock (1737 – 1793) was an importer, exporter, slave owner and large-writer. Later he was Governor of Massachusetts.

Patrick Henry (1736 – 1799) was a failed planter, a failed entrepreneur, and a successful lawyer. He was Governor of Virginia — twice.

Thomas Jefferson (1743 – 1826) was a lawyer. He also dabbled in horticulture, architecture, archaeology, paleontology, inventing, and being the third President of the United States.

James Madison (1751 – 1836) was a lawyer, although he never gained admission to the Bar. He was secretary of state to Thomas Jefferson, and was the fourth president.

George Washington (1732 – 1799) was a planter, by which I mean he sat on his butt and the slaves did the planting. He was an officer in the British Army, and then Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. Of course, he was the first president.