George Bancroft: historian, diplomat and Democratic politician who helped standardize secondary education in Massachusetts and beyond; established the U.S. Naval Academy and led diplomacy in Europe.
As the 250th anniversary of independence approaches, scholars argue John Dickinson’s contributions have been overlooked. Calvert, founder of the John Dickinson Writings Project, emphasizes Dickinson’s push for gradual independence and legal protections for the vulnerable, challenging the enduring image of him as a marginal figure.