As the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of its independence, the legacy of John Dickinson, a pivotal but often overlooked figure of the Revolutionary War era, is being re-evaluated. Dickinson, a lawyer and statesman from Delaware and Pennsylvania, is primarily remembered for his abstention from signing the Declaration of Independence.
Jane Calvert, founder of the John Dickinson Writings Project, has spent 25 years advocating for a more nuanced understanding of Dickinson's contributions. "It has been a constant struggle," Calvert, a former associate professor at the University of Kentucky, stated. She believes Dickinson, once considered one of the most influential founders, has been unfairly ignored or misrepresented.
Dickinson's influence was significant in the years leading up to the Revolution. His "Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania," published in the 1760s, were widely read essays critiquing British taxation policies and helped foster a unified colonial identity. He also penned the lyrics to "The Liberty Song," an early American patriotic anthem. Admirers referred to him as the "Penman of the Revolution."
Despite his influential writings, Dickinson advocated for peace with Great Britain even after the initial hostilities at Lexington and Concord. In July 1775, he helped draft the Olive Branch Petition, a final appeal for reconciliation that was ultimately dismissed by King George III. When the Continental Congress voted for independence in July 1776, Dickinson and Robert Morris, a fellow Pennsylvanian, abstained. While Morris eventually signed the Declaration, Dickinson did not.
Calvert explains Dickinson's decision was not an outright opposition to independence, but rather a belief that it should occur gradually and without further bloodshed. He argued that the American colonies were not adequately prepared militarily, lacked a constitution and foreign alliances, and had insufficient domestic manufacturing. Furthermore, Dickinson was deeply concerned about the lack of legal protections for vulnerable populations, particularly religious dissenters like the Quakers in Pennsylvania.
Dickinson's reputation as a man of intellect over action has persisted. At the National Constitution Center's Signers' Hall exhibit in Philadelphia, his statue is positioned in a corner. Popular historical narratives, including those by documentary filmmaker Ken Burns and playwright Lin-Manuel Miranda, have often omitted Dickinson. In the musical "1776," he is depicted as an Anglophile, and in the HBO miniseries about John Adams, he is portrayed as a foil to Adams' more assertive stance.
Calvert disputes these portrayals, calling them "egregious." She notes that historical accounts describe Dickinson as a compelling and charismatic leader, well-regarded by his peers, and a devoted Patriot. She points out that some depictions inaccurately portray him with aristocratic affectations, such as wearing a wig or speaking with a brogue.
Following the Declaration of Independence, Dickinson remained active in public service. He served in the Pennsylvania and Delaware militias, helped draft the Articles of Confederation, and supported the U.S. Constitution as a delegate from Delaware. He also served as president of both Delaware and Pennsylvania. Upon his death in 1808, President Thomas Jefferson remembered him as "one of the great worthies of the revolution."
Calvert argues that Dickinson's contributions before and after independence warrant his placement among the most esteemed founders. Thomas Donnelly, lead scholar at the Constitution Center, acknowledges that Calvert's work has enhanced his understanding of Dickinson. Some historians, like Pulitzer Prize winner Joseph Ellis, credit Dickinson as a leading voice against British policies but express regret over his decision not to sign the Declaration. Jack Rakove, another Pulitzer winner, characterizes Dickinson's stance in 1776 as a "quirk of his conscientious political personality" that should not overshadow his other achievements, though he would not place Dickinson in the top tier of founders.
Dickinson himself recognized the impact of his decision, lamenting that his opposition to the Declaration was a "finishing blow" to his "diminished popularity." John Adams was a critic, calling him a "piddling genius." Later, in the 1840s, historian George Bancroft contributed to Dickinson's negative reputation by arguing that he "dulled the resentment of the people, and paralyzed the manly impulse of self-sacrificing courage."
Despite these criticisms, Dickinson has found defenders, including the late commentator William Murchison and historians Ian Iverson and Nathan R. Kozuskanich. Calvert also pointed to an episode of "South Park" that aired in 2003 during the Iraq War. In the episode, a character travels back to 1776 and draws parallels between the independence debates and contemporary protests, portraying Dickinson as motivated by principle against founding a nation through war. Calvert sees this as a rare pop culture depiction that highlights Dickinson as a forefather of anti-war sentiments.