John Jay
(1745-1829)
WHO HE WAS:
John Jay was an influential American statesman and a Founding Father of the United States. He co-authored the Federalist Papers, served as the first Chief Justice of the United States, and was the Governor of New York. His diplomatic efforts were crucial to the establishment and early governance of the new nation.
WHAT HE SAID:
"To contend for our own liberty, and to deny that blessing to others, involves an inconsistency not to be excused."
WHY HE MATTERED:
Jay was integral in shaping the foreign and domestic policies of the fledgling United States. He negotiated the Treaty of Paris, which ended the Revolutionary War, and his advocacy for a strong federal government helped to shape the Constitution. His role in founding American jurisprudence is also a significant part of his legacy.