LISTS
Entertainment
Sports

America's Most Influential Founding Fathers, Ranked

Each one of the Founding Fathers of the United States played a major role in America's war for independence from Great Britain and helped frame a government for independent America. While we acknowledge that all of the Founding Fathers were vital in the building of the United States, we need to give extra credits to the ones whose roles were indispensable. While some of the Founding Fathers were critical in the drafting of the Declaration of Independence, a few others ratified the Constitution. Check out our ranking of America's most influential Founding Fathers.

1. George Washington

    
George Washington
Also Known As: President Washington
Birthday: 22 February 1732
Born In: Westmoreland County, Virginia, United States
Sun Sign: Pisces
Died On: 14 December 1799
Famous As: 1st President of the United States (1789 - 1797)
American political leader, military general, statesman, George Washington was among the most influential of the Founding Fathers. He served as the first president of the United States from 1789 to 1797 and has been called the "Father of His Country." He has been ranked among the greatest US presidents.

2. Alexander Hamilton

    
Alexander Hamilton
Birthday: 11 January 1755
Born In: Charlestown, Saint Kitts and Nevis
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Died On: 12 July 1804
Famous As: American Revolutionary and Founding Father of the United States
Statesman, politician, legal scholar, and military commander Alexander Hamilton was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. An interpreter and promoter of the U.S. Constitution, he was also the founder of the nation's financial system, the Federalist Party, and the United States Coast Guard.

3. Benjamin Franklin

    
Benjamin Franklin
Birthday: 17 January 1706
Born In: Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Died On: 17 April 1790
Famous As: One of the Founding Fathers of the United States
American polymath Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A major figure in the American Enlightenment, he founded many civic organizations, including the Library Company, the University of Pennsylvania, and Philadelphia's first fire department. An abolitionist, he promoted education and the integration of blacks in American society.

4. Thomas Jefferson

    
Thomas Jefferson
Also Known As: President Jefferson, T. Jefferson
Birthday: 13 April 1743
Born In: Shadwell, Virginia, United States
Sun Sign: Aries
Died On: 04 July 1826
Famous As: 3rd President of the United States
Statesman, diplomat, lawyer, architect, and philosopher Thomas Jefferson was one of the most influential Founding Fathers of the United States. He served as the third president of the United States from 1801 to 1809. A lawyer by profession, he promoted democracy, republicanism, and individual rights.

5. James Madison

    
James Madison
Birthday: 16 March 1751
Born In: Port Conway, Virginia, United States
Sun Sign: Pisces
Died On: 28 June 1836
Famous As: 4th President of The United States
Statesman, diplomat, expansionist, and philosopher James Madison was an important leader in the United States House of Representatives. A prominent Founding Father, he served as the fourth president of the United States from 1809 to 1817. He also served as the fifth United States secretary of State from 1801 to 1809.