Constitution Signer

George Read

            George Read was born in 1733 near the village of North East, Maryland.  His father was a landholder of means.  He graduated school at age 15 and began studying law with a Philadelphia lawyer, was admitted to the bar in 1753 and set up practice in New Castle, Delaware.  He became Crown Attorney General (1763-1774).  In 1765 he began a career in the colonial legislature which lasted more than a decade.

            Though he voted against the Declaration of Independence, he became the only dissenter to sign it and joined the majority toward working for independence.  He did not see action during the Revolutionary War.

            At the Constitutional Convention, Read argued for a new government under a new Constitution arguing for states to be abolished altogether and consolidation of the country under one powerful national government.  With no one to support his motion, he settled for protection of the rights of the small states against the infringements of the larger, more populous states who, he feared would “probably combine to swallow up the smaller ones by addition, division, or impoverishment” and voted for ratification.

            Read was twice elected to the U. S. Senate (1789-1793) after which he accepted the post of Chief Justice of Delaware.  He held this office until his death September 21, 1798.  During his adult life he was recognized by his peers for his legal knowledge, sound judgment, impartial decisions, and the purity of his private character.  He was the dominating figure in Delaware politics during his career.