Who Invented the “Founding Fathers?”

The making of a myth

John Trumbull’s painting of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, 1819 (Public domain)

Quick, what do you know about Gouverneur Morris?

If you’ve heard of Morris at all, you likely know just one thing: that he was a founding father, and therefore worthy of your reverence.

I get the sense that most Americans picture the founding fathers as a bunch…