Economies ranked by their ability to innovate
One of the leading figures of early American history, Benjamin Franklin served as a diplomat during the American Revolutionary War and secured French support for American independence. He later helped negotiate a cessation of hostilities and a peace treaty that officially ended the conflict, and assisted in the drafting of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
American military officer Thomas Sumpter is remembered for his leadership of troops against British forces in North and South Carolina, where he earned the sobriquet "Carolina Gamecock" after a confrontation with British Colonel Banastre Tarleton's troops at the Battle of Blackstock's Farm. After his death, Fort Sumter—the site where the American Civil War later began—was named in his honor.
New Hampshire native John Stark served as a major general in the Continental Army. Stark's militia group played a crucial role in the Battle of Bunker Hill. He later won considerable kudos after leading the American forces to victory in the Battle of Bennington.
Henry Dearborn was a captain in the Revolutionary War. He was captured by the British during the assault on Quebec but was eventually released. He fought in the Saratoga campaign, endured bitter cold and near-starvation at Valley Forge, and played a crucial role in the Yorktown campaign.
William Alexander, known as Lord Sterling to his compatriots, claimed Scottish ancestry. Lord Sterling's unit, the First New Jersey Regiment, held its ground against British regulars at the Battle of Long Island. Though captured, his actions allowed George Washington's troops to escape.
Irish-born American naval officer John Barry has been credited by some as the "Father of the American Navy," sharing that moniker with John Paul Jones and John Adams. He was the first captain placed in command of an American warship commissioned for service under the Continental flag, and throughout the war led various ships of the Continental Navy into battle.
Abraham Whipple was an American naval officer and is known for capturing and burning the Royal Navy revenue cutter Gaspee during a skirmish in the lead-up to the American Revolution. The so-called Gaspee affair proved to be a pivotal episode in American history.
Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais was a French watchmaker, inventor, playwright, musician, diplomat, and spy, and took part in both the French and American revolutions. During the American Revolutionary War, the Gallic polymath provided arms, clothing, and funds to support the rebellious Americans, channeled through a fictitious import company. Beaumarchais is best known today for his theatrical works, especially the three Figaro plays.
Polish-American Jewish businessman Haym Salomon is not a figure immediately associated with the American Revolution. A wealthy man, Salomon established himself as a financial broker and helped raise funds for the Continental Army. Records show Salomon's fundraising and personal lending helped provide over US$650,000 (approximately US$19.5 million in 2024 dollars) in financing to George Washington in his war effort.
Patrick Henry was a Virginian lawyer and politician who played a vital role in the American Revolution. One of the most recognizable Patriot leaders, Henry is famous for declaring to the Second Virginia Convention of 1775: "Give me liberty, or give me death!"
After serving on the Revolutionary War's battlefields, including the Battle of Princeton on January 3, 1777, Alexander Hamilton became George Washington's aide-de-camp and was promoted to lieutenant colonel.
Though politically active throughout the Revolutionary War, James Madison did not see any action on the battlefield, his poor health precluding any active military service. Acclaimed as the "Father of the Constitution" for his central role in drafting and promoting the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights, Madison served as the fourth president of the United States from 1809 to 1817.
King George III was the British head of state as rising tensions with the American colonies led to revolution. While the monarch played a largely symbolic role in the conflict, he nevertheless remained invested, hiring thousands of Hessian mercenaries to assist the British troops already in America in crushing the rebellion. King George's refusal to surrender meant that the American Revolutionary War lasted for nearly eight years.
Ethan Allen is especially known for the capture of Fort Ticonderoga on May 10, 1775 as the leader of the "Green Mountain Boys," a militia organization later reconstituted as the Green Mountain Continental Rangers.
Nathanael Green is remembered as one of the most skilled and celebrated generals of the American Revolution. He succeeded General Horatio Gates as commander in chief of the Continental Army and is known for his successful command in the Southern theater of the conflict.
The single female on this list, Betsy Ross is celebrated as the American upholsterer who made the second official US flag, accordingly known as the Betsy Ross flag. It depicted a circle of 13 five-point stars in a blue patch on the top left corner, with 13 alternating red-and-white stripes cut horizontally through the rest of the cloth. Such a flag had been requested by the Continental Army on June 14, 1777.
Samuel Adams was one of Boston's most prominent revolutionary leaders. As a politician in colonial Massachusetts, he was, in fact, leader of the movement that became the American Revolution. Adams was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.
During the American Revolution, Benedict Arnold quickly established himself as one of George Washington's best generals. A respected and patriotic military officer, Arnold's name later became synonymous with treason and betrayal in the United States when after repeatedly being passed over for promotion he defected to the British in 1780.
English-born American Thomas Paine was the quintessential revolutionary. He authored 'Common Sense' (1776) and 'The American Crisis' (1776–1783), two of the most influential pamphlets at the start of the American Revolution, and helped to inspire the colonial era patriots in 1776 to declare independence.
Crispus Attucks, a whaler and sailor of African and Native American descent, has the unfortunate honor of being traditionally regarded as the the first casualty of the American Revolution when he was shot and killed in what became known as the Boston Massacre, which took place on March 5, 1770.
John Burgoyne, "Gentleman Johnny" to his peers, was a British general and politician who sat in the House of Commons in London from 1761 to 1792. He is remembered for halting the American invasion force at Quebec, but is equally known for his defeat by superior American forces in the Saratoga campaign of 1777.
William Howe was the commander in chief of British land forces in the Colonies during the Revolutionary War. At the Battle of Long Island in August 1776, Howe engaged, outflanked, and smashed Washington, inflicting over 2,000 casualties and putting his adversary on the run. This was the first major battle of the war since the American declaration of independence.
One of the most prominent British generals of the Revolutionary War, Charles Cornwallis' reputation was forever tainted after his surrender at the Siege of Yorktown in 1781, which effectively ended hostilities and led to peace negotiations between Britain and America.
American statesman Thomas Jefferson never saw action on the battlefield. His strength lay in his use of words and deeds to further the cause of independence. Indeed, he was the draftsman of the Declaration of Independence and served as the third president of the United States from 1801 to 1809.
John Adams, a remarkable political philosopher, served as the second president of the United States from 1797 to 1801. Before his presidency, he was one of the primary movers of the American Revolution.
Paul Revere has gone down in American history as the man who made a midnight dash on horseback in 1775 to alert New England colonial militia companies of the approach of British troops prior to the battles of Lexington and Concord in the early months of the war.
John Hancock was a behind-the-scenes force early in the American Revolution. A brilliant organizer, Hancock raised funds for the cause, helped secure troops, and played a role in marshaling naval forces. His was the first signature on the Declaration of Independence.
French nobleman and military officer Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette traveled to the New World as a volunteer and joined the Continental Army, believing it was a noble cause. He later commanded Continental Army troops in the decisive siege of Yorktown in 1781. After returning to Europe, Lafayette became a key figure in the French Revolution of 1789.
Scottish-born American naval officer John Paul Jones is regarded by several historians as one of the greatest naval commanders in the military history of the United States. He's renowned for his victory over British ships of war off the east coast of England in September 1779.
A lesser-known name in the annals of the American Revolution, Bernardo de Gálvez is nonetheless remembered for his denying the British the ability to encircle the American rebels in West Florida and for keeping a vital flow of supplies to Patriot troops across the colonies. Spanish-born de Gálvez served as colonial governor of Spanish Louisiana and Cuba, and later as Viceroy of New Spain.
George Washington is arguably the most famous figure to emerge from the American Revolution. Despite having little experience in commanding large battle groups, he was appointed commander of the Continental Army in 1775. Washington secured victory at Yorktown and independence for his new nation in 1781. He crowned a glittering career by becoming the first president of the United States from 1789 to 1797.
Sources: (Biography) (Britannica) (HistoryExtra) (Students of History)
See also: From alcoholism to assassination: How every US President died
The American Revolutionary War, also called the War of Independence, was fought in North America and took place from 1775 to 1783. It was a military conflict that was part of the broader American Revolution, an insurrection by Patriots in the 13 Colonies against British rule. The revolution made heroes of many, and quite a few villains, too. But a number of individuals stand out for their courage and determination in the face of adversity and seemingly insurmountable odds, people who are remembered as key figures in a pivotal moment in American history. But who are these revolutionaries of note?
Click through and meet the men who helped make America independent.
Key figures of the American Revolution
Who are the significant individuals that took part in the War of Independence?
LIFESTYLE History
The American Revolutionary War, also called the War of Independence, was fought in North America and took place from 1775 to 1783. It was a military conflict that was part of the broader American Revolution, an insurrection by Patriots in the 13 Colonies against British rule. The revolution made heroes of many, and quite a few villains, too. But a number of individuals stand out for their courage and determination in the face of adversity and seemingly insurmountable odds, people who are remembered as key figures in a pivotal moment in American history. But who are these revolutionaries of note?
Click through and meet the men who helped make America independent.