Our Patriotic Bios
 Edward Abbey (1927-1989), author, “desert anarchist”, was a vocal advocate of the rights of the individual against what he often saw as tyrannical government. Though he angered people of all political persuasions, he craved opportunities through his raucous writings to express his undying love for country and unexaggerated antipathy towards its government. “Desert Solitaire”, his fourth book, made clear his love for the treasure of America’s natural heritage. Abbey refused to be defined by the left or the right, instead choosing to fight whatever he saw as the good fight. “A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government.” Abbey died in 1989 and is buried in a sleeping bag, “where you’ll never find it”, underneath the rocks of the Cabeza Prieta Desert in Arizona. |
 Edmund Burke (1729-1797) was a British statesman, author, and one of the foremost political thinkers of 18th century England. Though proudly “an Englishman”, Burke expressed his support of the American Colonies and their grievances against the government of King George III, encouraging his nation to “seek peace and ensue it, leave America”. He recognized that the colonists were “devoted to liberty” and sought supportive methods of engaging the colonists as his “fellow Englishmen”. Though never setting foot on American soil, Burke’s influence was considerable in support of Liberty. Winston Churchill would later note that “Burke is revealed as the foremost apostle of Liberty … His soul revolted against tyranny”. |
 Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), third President of The United States, was the country’s premier advocate for liberty. As author of the Declaration of Independence, at the age of 33, he voiced the aspirations and beliefs of a young nation determined to pursue freedom through limited self-government. Jefferson dedicated his life to the realizations of the ideals he had so eloquently penned for the generations that followed, namely that all men are equal in rights and that the government shall be a servant, not a master, of the people. Jefferson served his country for over five decades and died 50 years to the day of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, on July 4, 1826.
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 Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865), 16th President of The United States, was a tenacious fighter for the cause of liberty under the beloved flag of a single Union. Guiding the country through its only civil war, Lincoln struggled to insure the survival of the Union, stating at Gettysburg “...that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth”. Americans often regard Lincoln as the country’s wisest president, recognizing his incomparable leadership, integrity, and high character. “Honest Abe”, an American icon for generations, rose to lead through sheer ambition and hard work. His commitment to the principles of the Founding Fathers is most exhibited in the Emancipation Proclamation, leading to the abolition of slavery and setting the course of freedom for all Americans.
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 James Madison (1751-1836), fourth President of The United States, was a preeminent founding father. Known as the Father of the Constitution, he is also remembered as the Father of the Bill of Rights, having been the first President to serve in Congress where he was responsible for the first ten amendments and numerous other basic laws. As a political theorist, Madison championed the issue of checks and balances, as this was paramount, he believed, to protect people from the potential tyranny of government. Working closely with George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, Madison was deeply involved in the initial formation of our federal system. |
 Thomas Paine (1737-1809) was a late comer as a Founding Father, but his impact in the formation of the United States was considerable. Until 37 years of age, Paine lived in England. Having emigrated to the colonies in time for the American Revolution, Paine was the premiere pamphleteer of the movement. His “Common Sense” publication was extensively read throughout the colonies, selling over 100,000 copies in three months from its release in January 1776. This very powerful document roused the independence spirit of the colonists. His words have been read and quoted by Presidents and Statesmen throughout U.S. history. For this reason, historians credit Paine as “The Father of The American Revolution”.
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