Known for

• 5th President of Delaware (1781-1783)​

• 5th President of Pennsylvania (1782-1785)

​

During 1776

• Delegate for Pennsylvania

• Age: 44

​

Background

• Born: 1732 in Talbot County, Maryland

• Education: Homeschooled

• One of the wealthiest men in the British American colonies

• Spouse: Mary Norris (m. 1770)

• ​Children: 5 (only 2 survived to adulthood)

• Slaveowning

  • The Dickinsons were among the largest slave owners in the Delaware Valley, holding at least 59 individuals

  • In 1777, Dickinson decided to free his slaves, on the condition that they worked an additional 21 years. At the time, he was Delaware's wealthiest farmer and largest slaveholder

    • His exposure and proximity to Quaker abolitionists definitely influenced this decision

    • ​It helped that his farm had moved away from farming tobacco to less labor-intensive crops, including wheat and barley

    • In 1786, all his slaves were unconditionally freed

  • The only Founder to emancipate his enslaved workforce during the Revolutionary years between 1776-1786 (Benjamin Franklin started doing it in the early 1780s)

​

Personal beliefs

• Politics: "Constitutional loyalist, American Patriot"

  • Notably, he opposed independence from Great Britain, and was one of the most ardent opponents during the Second Continental Congress

  • Drafted the 1774 Petition to the King (First Continental Congress) and the 1775 Olive Branch Petition (Second Continental Congress); both of these attempts to negotiate a reconciliation with King George of Britain failed

  • Some sources state Dickinson didn't believe the Thirteen Colonies had the right to separate from the British Empire; others state Dickinson didn't oppose independence per se, but believed that the Congress should complete the Articles of Confederation and secure a foreign alliance before issuing a declaration​

  • Either abstained from or did not vote for independence

    • Dickinson: "I know that the tide of the passions and prejudices of the people at large is strongly in favor of independence. I know too, that I have acquired a character and some popularity with them — both of which I shall risk by opposing this favorite measure. But I had rather risk both than speak or vote contrary to the dictates of my judgments and conscience."

  • Did not sign the Declaration of Independence

  • According to the terms set forth, no man could remain in the Continental Congress without signing the Declaration, so Dickinson voluntarily departed and joined the Pennsylvania patriot militia

• Religion: Steeped in Quaker beliefs, but didn't officially join a Quaker meeting

  • Married Mary Norris in a civil ceremony as a result​

• Personality

  • ​John Adams, during the First Continental Congress: "Mr. Dickinson is a very modest Man, and very ingenious, as well as agreeable. He has an excellent Heart, and the Cause of his Country lies near it."

  • However, later on, Adams got miffed when Dickinson moderated Adams's aggressive language in the 1774 Petition to the King, and then described him as "very modest, delicate, and timid"