Richard Henry Lee: America's Forgotten Founder

Mention the Declaration of Independence and the legendary names Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Benjamin Franklin come to mind. Few can recall that Roger Sherman and Robert Livingston also served on the five-member draft committee.  Virtually no one remembers Richard Henry Lee.

Lee is responsible for setting the stage for the writing of America's Declaration of Independence from the powerful British Empire.  His role has been lost in the pages of history because so much has been written about the five colonists tasked with producing the country's seminal document.

Lee, son of a wealthy Virginia planter, was educated in Yorkshire, England. His first public service was at age 25 when he was appointed justice of the peace in Westmoreland Country, Virginia.  He won election to the Virginia House of Burgesses, the first elected legislative assembly in the colonies.

A rising statesman, Lee was chosen to represent Virginia at the two Continental Congresses, which evolved into the governing body for the 13 colonies during the American Revolution. It was Lee's work at the second Continental Congress that fanned the simmering embers of independence.

On June 7 of 1776, Lee rose before the 56 assembled delegates to introduce a resolution that would alter the course of history.  In solemn tones, Lee stood and read these words before a hushed audience in steamy Philadelphia:

"Resolved: That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved."

The raucous convention erupted into a smoldering debate.  Pockets of influential delegates opposed the maneuver, calling for reconciliation with King George III and Great Britain. The fierce verbal battle forced leaders to postpone the vote and adopt a three-week recess for a cooling off period.

However, hours before the recess the tone of the debate had tacked decidedly in favor of approval. Based on the shifting political winds, the Committee of Five was appointed to author a statement outlining the colonies case against their masters across the Atlantic Ocean.

On July 2, 1776, one day after congress reconvened, Lee's resolution for independence was adopted by 12 of the 13 colonies.  New York's delegation abstained. Almost immediately the drafting committee began its work.  Revisions continued around-the-clock until late on the morning of July 4.

That afternoon church bells pealed in the city of Philadelphia.  The Declaration of Independence had been officially adopted.  Five days later on July 9, the New York delegation signaled its approval of the newly minted document.  All 13 colonies were now in agreement on the future of America.

Some historians downplay Lee's role at the convention, citing the growing clarion call for independence in the colonies.  But it was Lee alone who braved certain ridicule to launch the delegates on their historic course to create a new nation.  He never achieved recognition he deserved.

Richard Henry Lee endured great hardship throughout his life.  He lost a wife to disease.  He had a strained relationship with his brother over the Lee estate.  He suffered attacks on his character after the Revolution, including being accused of corruption and leaking information to a British spy.

In failing health, Lee retired from public service in 1792 at the age of 60.  He passed away two years later at his estate Chantilly-on-the Potomac in Virginia. He had helped usher in America's independence. Arguably, he should rightly be celebrated as one of the country's founding fathers.