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George Mason: The Founding Father Who Gave Us the Bill of Rights
George Mason was a short, bookish man who was a friend and neighbor of athletic, broad-shouldered George Washington. Unlike Washington, Mason has been virtually forgotton by history. But this new biography of forgotten patriot George Mason makes a convincing case that Mason belongs in the pantheon of honored Founding Fathers. Trained in the law, Mason was also a farmer, philosopher, botanist, and musician. He was one of the architects of the Declaration of Independence, an author of the Bill of Rights, and one of the strongest proponents of religious liberty in American history. In fact, both Thomas Jefferson and James Madison may have been given undue credit for George Mason's own contributions to American democracy.
320 pages, Hardcover
Published May 7, 2019
7 people are currently reading
93 people want to read
About the author
William G. Hyland Jr.
12 books7 followersWilliam G. Hyland Jr., a native of Virginia, received his B.A. from the University of Alabama and a J.D. from Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law. Before law school, he worked with a Top Secret security clearance for the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency in Washington, D. C. Hyland is a member of the Virginia and New York Historical Societies. He now lives and writes in Tampa Bay, Florida.
Son of author William G. Hyland
Son of author William G. Hyland
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 16, 2020
PLAGIARISM ALERT!
One of the main reasons George Mason is known as “the Forgotten Founder” is because he does not get the credit he deserves for shaping America’s founding documents. Mason’s Virginia Declaration of Rights was published several weeks before Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence. When you compare the two documents, they look awfully similar. How ironic that Mason biographer (and lawyer!) William Hyland would commit plagiarism. Hyland’s most popular book argues that Thomas Jefferson did not father any children with Sally Hemings.
I wouldn’t have known who George Mason was were it not for the university bearing his name being near my home. When I stumbled across his memorial (ironically, in the shadow of the Jefferson Memorial), I decided to read Hyland’s recently published “George Mason: The Founding Father Who Gave Us the Bill of Rights.” Then today I picked up a copy of “George Mason: Forgotten Founder” (2006) for comparison. In less than an hour, I found four examples of plagiarism and eight footnotes to page numbers in “Forgotten Founder” that do not exist.
Ex. 1.) Hyland, p. 40, “Finishing second among the twelve successful candidates, Mason was elected to the vestry of Treuro Parish along with George Washington. Service to Treuro Parish became one of the constants of Mason’s life, (...) serving four separate terms as a church warden.”
Broadwater, p. 10, “Finishing second among the twelve successful candidates, George Mason was elected to the vestry of Treuro Parish (...) [this] became one of the constants in Mason’s life. (...) he served four separate terms as a church warden.”
Comment: Hyland does not include any quotation marks in his paragraph and his one reference to Broadwater includes the wrong page number. It gets worse.
Ex. 2.) Hyland, p. 313, “Mason may have been closest to his son John, and their correspondence forms the single most important source of information about Mason’s final years.”
Broadwater, p. 246, “Mason may have been closest to John, and their correspondence forms the single most important source of information about Mason’s final years.”
Comment: No quotation marks or footnote.
Ex. 3.) Hyland, p. 317, “Mason’s health complaints seemed to multiply in the summer and early fall of 1792.”
Broadwater, p. 249, “Mason’s health complaints seemed to multiply in the summer and early fall of 1792.”
Comment: No quotation marks or footnote.
Ex. 4.) Hyland, p. 317-18, “Mason managed somehow to produce his last paper, a petition to the general assembly to encourage “the Manufacture and Sale of Flour.”
Broadwater, p. 250, “Mason managed to somehow produce his last state paper, a petition to the general assembly to encourage “the Manufacture and Sale of Flour.”
Comment: No quotation marks or footnote.
Finally, the eight footnotes in Hyland’s Chapter 15 for “Forgotten Founder” give page numbers that do not exist in the book.
It gives me no joy to uncover these examples of plagiarism and sloppy footnoting. After being so frustrated with the almost non-existent coverage of Andrew Jackson’s slaves by Jon Meacham and James Monroe’s slaves by Unger, I was so impressed that the longest chapter in Hyland’s biography was his chapter on slavery, which he entitled “A Slow Poison” (Mason’s own words).
I sincerely hope the right-wing publisher, Regnery History, and Hyland can clean up this biography and publish a revised version. George Mason deserves no less.
Update: I gave my review to both publishers. UNC Press got back to me right away and informed me that they would look closely into the matter. I have not heard from Regnery.
To commemorate my study of the other George (Washington's Mt. Vernon is a few miles up river), I bicycled to his plantation, Gunston Hall, yesterday. Amazingly, I could take bike trails for almost all of the 50 mi. trip, starting with the supremely sylvan Accotink Lake/Gerry Connolly (my Congressman!) Connector Trail. The last few miles are through spectacular countryside. You could also get to Gunston from D.C. via the George Washington Parkway Trail.
Despite being one of the largest land owners in Virginia, Mason's home is surprisingly modest. Amazingly, I was the only one on the 4:00 tour. The most surprising thing was the amount of Chinese porcelain that Mason collected. I informed the staff of the plagiarism I had uncovered. Since they have all read Broadwater, they too will be looking into it. Afterwards, I biked on to Mason Neck State Park/Wildlife Refuge. I didn't see any wildlife, but the views of the Potomac are amazing.
One of the main reasons George Mason is known as “the Forgotten Founder” is because he does not get the credit he deserves for shaping America’s founding documents. Mason’s Virginia Declaration of Rights was published several weeks before Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence. When you compare the two documents, they look awfully similar. How ironic that Mason biographer (and lawyer!) William Hyland would commit plagiarism. Hyland’s most popular book argues that Thomas Jefferson did not father any children with Sally Hemings.
I wouldn’t have known who George Mason was were it not for the university bearing his name being near my home. When I stumbled across his memorial (ironically, in the shadow of the Jefferson Memorial), I decided to read Hyland’s recently published “George Mason: The Founding Father Who Gave Us the Bill of Rights.” Then today I picked up a copy of “George Mason: Forgotten Founder” (2006) for comparison. In less than an hour, I found four examples of plagiarism and eight footnotes to page numbers in “Forgotten Founder” that do not exist.
Ex. 1.) Hyland, p. 40, “Finishing second among the twelve successful candidates, Mason was elected to the vestry of Treuro Parish along with George Washington. Service to Treuro Parish became one of the constants of Mason’s life, (...) serving four separate terms as a church warden.”
Broadwater, p. 10, “Finishing second among the twelve successful candidates, George Mason was elected to the vestry of Treuro Parish (...) [this] became one of the constants in Mason’s life. (...) he served four separate terms as a church warden.”
Comment: Hyland does not include any quotation marks in his paragraph and his one reference to Broadwater includes the wrong page number. It gets worse.
Ex. 2.) Hyland, p. 313, “Mason may have been closest to his son John, and their correspondence forms the single most important source of information about Mason’s final years.”
Broadwater, p. 246, “Mason may have been closest to John, and their correspondence forms the single most important source of information about Mason’s final years.”
Comment: No quotation marks or footnote.
Ex. 3.) Hyland, p. 317, “Mason’s health complaints seemed to multiply in the summer and early fall of 1792.”
Broadwater, p. 249, “Mason’s health complaints seemed to multiply in the summer and early fall of 1792.”
Comment: No quotation marks or footnote.
Ex. 4.) Hyland, p. 317-18, “Mason managed somehow to produce his last paper, a petition to the general assembly to encourage “the Manufacture and Sale of Flour.”
Broadwater, p. 250, “Mason managed to somehow produce his last state paper, a petition to the general assembly to encourage “the Manufacture and Sale of Flour.”
Comment: No quotation marks or footnote.
Finally, the eight footnotes in Hyland’s Chapter 15 for “Forgotten Founder” give page numbers that do not exist in the book.
It gives me no joy to uncover these examples of plagiarism and sloppy footnoting. After being so frustrated with the almost non-existent coverage of Andrew Jackson’s slaves by Jon Meacham and James Monroe’s slaves by Unger, I was so impressed that the longest chapter in Hyland’s biography was his chapter on slavery, which he entitled “A Slow Poison” (Mason’s own words).
I sincerely hope the right-wing publisher, Regnery History, and Hyland can clean up this biography and publish a revised version. George Mason deserves no less.
Update: I gave my review to both publishers. UNC Press got back to me right away and informed me that they would look closely into the matter. I have not heard from Regnery.
To commemorate my study of the other George (Washington's Mt. Vernon is a few miles up river), I bicycled to his plantation, Gunston Hall, yesterday. Amazingly, I could take bike trails for almost all of the 50 mi. trip, starting with the supremely sylvan Accotink Lake/Gerry Connolly (my Congressman!) Connector Trail. The last few miles are through spectacular countryside. You could also get to Gunston from D.C. via the George Washington Parkway Trail.
Despite being one of the largest land owners in Virginia, Mason's home is surprisingly modest. Amazingly, I was the only one on the 4:00 tour. The most surprising thing was the amount of Chinese porcelain that Mason collected. I informed the staff of the plagiarism I had uncovered. Since they have all read Broadwater, they too will be looking into it. Afterwards, I biked on to Mason Neck State Park/Wildlife Refuge. I didn't see any wildlife, but the views of the Potomac are amazing.
March 22, 2023
I am going to wait to give this a full review until I have read “Forgotten Founder” Because several people note large portions of plagiarism.
Otherwise I thought this was very well written-Not exactly a bio, But more focused on his belief in a bill of rights and how his Virginia Bill of Rights has related to the drafting of the American Constitution and it’s first amendments.
Without more reading I am unsure if I accept the authors view that it was principal and even goodness not to sign the constitution even though everyone else was making compromises to create a America. The author also fails to note what a desperate situation America would’ve been in had Mason succeeded and the ratifying convention failed with America going back to just a loose consideration of states.
The book also does a nice job of pointing out all his Belief in individual rights given by God did not in anyway stop him from owning selling trading slaves.
Otherwise I thought this was very well written-Not exactly a bio, But more focused on his belief in a bill of rights and how his Virginia Bill of Rights has related to the drafting of the American Constitution and it’s first amendments.
Without more reading I am unsure if I accept the authors view that it was principal and even goodness not to sign the constitution even though everyone else was making compromises to create a America. The author also fails to note what a desperate situation America would’ve been in had Mason succeeded and the ratifying convention failed with America going back to just a loose consideration of states.
The book also does a nice job of pointing out all his Belief in individual rights given by God did not in anyway stop him from owning selling trading slaves.
August 16, 2020
An excellent recounting of the brilliance of America’s most under-rated founding father. Details the influence Mason had on our most important founding documents, the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. If the rest of the founders built the political house of America, it was Mason who laid much of the foundation. Well worth the read.
Update: Another reviewer, Peter Beck, alerted me to his finding some months earlier to my reading after I published my initial review (above), to which I was not privy at the time of my reading. The book has major instances of plagiarism in it, Beck examples 3 and 4 are actually under-reporting the copied content, which extends to 3 sentences in the 3rd example and to 4 sentences in the 4th example. Future readers should note Mr. Beck's review, https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Update: Another reviewer, Peter Beck, alerted me to his finding some months earlier to my reading after I published my initial review (above), to which I was not privy at the time of my reading. The book has major instances of plagiarism in it, Beck examples 3 and 4 are actually under-reporting the copied content, which extends to 3 sentences in the 3rd example and to 4 sentences in the 4th example. Future readers should note Mr. Beck's review, https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
December 20, 2022
I think it's interesting that George Mason's role in the founding of the country is mostly forgotten today, considering how his contemporaries viewed him (though maybe I shouldn't be surprised, having read Chuck Klosterman's
But What If We're Wrong?
). I think the book mainly explains this by pointing to the fact that Mason was very family-oriented and didn't engage in as much outward politics in his later years as the other big name founding fathers did.
While listening to this book, I was also reading Octavia Butler's The Parable of the Sower , which has themes around what it's like to be enslaved. Meanwhile, this book seems broadly sympathetic to the idea that Mason was a reluctant slave owner, despite the fact that he did not free his slaves. When reading The Parable of the Sower, I am shown a perspective where slaveholders are obvious monsters and I am sympathetic to the idea that they must be complete sociopaths, whereas when reading this book, I am able to see a perspective where a normally thoughtful and kind person (who shaped many of our nation's modern notions about freedom and liberty!) might also hold slaves. Simultaneously it is easy to say "Oh god, how could he have not realized what a monstrous act it is to enslave someone?" and to say, "I should not judge historical figures by the standards of the present."
One thing this book brought up for me is to think of what routine things I do today that will be seen as obviously monstrous to people in the future. My closest guess here is eating meat and otherwise participating in the factory farming system. I'm not entirely convinced that becoming a vegan is the best way to end that, but I do imagine that in the far future when we have cultured meat and eggs and no longer use the factory farming system, people will look back on our current time with horror. I buy cage-free eggs and when possible I eat alternative protein sources over meat, but I find I am not willing to sacrifice too much to opt out of that system entirely, so every time I eat meat or eggs of unknown provenance, I bask in the cognitive dissonance by vacillating between "maybe we shouldn't be so quick to judge George Mason", "maybe I should stop eating eggs and meat so I'm not a monster like George Mason" and "we are/were in a system that makes it difficult and costly to do the right thing, the best use of my energy is trying to change that system". Alas.
While listening to this book, I was also reading Octavia Butler's The Parable of the Sower , which has themes around what it's like to be enslaved. Meanwhile, this book seems broadly sympathetic to the idea that Mason was a reluctant slave owner, despite the fact that he did not free his slaves. When reading The Parable of the Sower, I am shown a perspective where slaveholders are obvious monsters and I am sympathetic to the idea that they must be complete sociopaths, whereas when reading this book, I am able to see a perspective where a normally thoughtful and kind person (who shaped many of our nation's modern notions about freedom and liberty!) might also hold slaves. Simultaneously it is easy to say "Oh god, how could he have not realized what a monstrous act it is to enslave someone?" and to say, "I should not judge historical figures by the standards of the present."
One thing this book brought up for me is to think of what routine things I do today that will be seen as obviously monstrous to people in the future. My closest guess here is eating meat and otherwise participating in the factory farming system. I'm not entirely convinced that becoming a vegan is the best way to end that, but I do imagine that in the far future when we have cultured meat and eggs and no longer use the factory farming system, people will look back on our current time with horror. I buy cage-free eggs and when possible I eat alternative protein sources over meat, but I find I am not willing to sacrifice too much to opt out of that system entirely, so every time I eat meat or eggs of unknown provenance, I bask in the cognitive dissonance by vacillating between "maybe we shouldn't be so quick to judge George Mason", "maybe I should stop eating eggs and meat so I'm not a monster like George Mason" and "we are/were in a system that makes it difficult and costly to do the right thing, the best use of my energy is trying to change that system". Alas.
December 9, 2024
George Mason is at times a forgotten founding father - he was one of the premier political philosophers of the revolutionary period in the US. He was the drafter of the Virginia Bill of Rights (which served as a model for our own bill of rights). He was one of three who refused to sign the Constitution - because he had strong reservations about the lack of a Bill of Rights but also because of the 1808 clause which allowed the importation of slaves until that year) he also was concerned about some other power dedicated to the congress.
Hyland tells the story of Mason well. He was devoted to his family and not much on holding office. So unlike Madison's legislative skills he lacked a method to translate good ideas into good laws.
Perhaps the two most important parts of the book are his contradictory beliefs about slavery. As a believer in natural rights he found it excruciating to deal with the existence of slavery. Hyland explores those contradictions with grace and sympathy. In the end Mason talked a good game but failed on execution. Among the founders he was not alone. Madison wrote similar things and yet failed to live up to his ideals.
The second major part of the book is a manufactured dispute. Hyland claims that Mason deserves to be the "father of the Bill of Rights" - which indeed he does. A good deal of the material in the US version came from the Virginia Bill of Rights - which Mason is credited with creating. Madison at first opposed having a separate set of enumerated rights. But after it was clear that without the addition that the Constitution would not be ratified (and in part because Madison thought support was necessary to get him elected in a gerrymandered district) but Madison should rightly be credited with getting the BOR through the Congress. Madison is generally credited as being the "Father of the Constitution" (and I think based on my reading that is appropriate). But in all the reading I have done on this area, I have seen few people claim he should also be credited as the "Father of the Bill of Rights".
I have a personal interest in Mason because he is a part of my lineage. His reluctance to pursue elective office and his unwillingness to sign the Constitution contributed in part to his relative obscurity among the founders. This book would help anyone understand why he deserves the title Hyland and others would offer him.
Hyland tells the story of Mason well. He was devoted to his family and not much on holding office. So unlike Madison's legislative skills he lacked a method to translate good ideas into good laws.
Perhaps the two most important parts of the book are his contradictory beliefs about slavery. As a believer in natural rights he found it excruciating to deal with the existence of slavery. Hyland explores those contradictions with grace and sympathy. In the end Mason talked a good game but failed on execution. Among the founders he was not alone. Madison wrote similar things and yet failed to live up to his ideals.
The second major part of the book is a manufactured dispute. Hyland claims that Mason deserves to be the "father of the Bill of Rights" - which indeed he does. A good deal of the material in the US version came from the Virginia Bill of Rights - which Mason is credited with creating. Madison at first opposed having a separate set of enumerated rights. But after it was clear that without the addition that the Constitution would not be ratified (and in part because Madison thought support was necessary to get him elected in a gerrymandered district) but Madison should rightly be credited with getting the BOR through the Congress. Madison is generally credited as being the "Father of the Constitution" (and I think based on my reading that is appropriate). But in all the reading I have done on this area, I have seen few people claim he should also be credited as the "Father of the Bill of Rights".
I have a personal interest in Mason because he is a part of my lineage. His reluctance to pursue elective office and his unwillingness to sign the Constitution contributed in part to his relative obscurity among the founders. This book would help anyone understand why he deserves the title Hyland and others would offer him.
February 20, 2023
I started this book and gave up after a couple of chapters. It is painfully repetitive and seems more interested in Mason's emotions and the appearances of all the characters than in substantive history. Hyland has the annoying habit of trying to "reconstruct" encounters, conversations, etc., in soap opera style, which to me is not what historians are supposed to do. Endless recitations of how wonderful a horseman Mason was, his wife's complexion and personality, how he must have felt when X happened. It may have all the information needed, but the author is so intrusive in the story, I would not call it a real biography.
March 17, 2020
If you have interest in that time of history when God gave the greatest men and the greatest country at once to the world, this work I believe, will not disappoint.
From the history I have managed to learn, I must take as accurate most of what is presented.
I am not qualified to judge many of the facts presented, though the qualities (or failures) of character presented sometimes troubled me. It surprised that the personal conflicts and struggles between and among our forefathers were so present at the time when brotherhood was so crucially needed. But I have to accept the authors word for the most part as it seems authentic.
Throughout the book, the reader (an audio book) and the words were just such a great pleasure to hear and know.
I am grateful so much for good books.
From the history I have managed to learn, I must take as accurate most of what is presented.
I am not qualified to judge many of the facts presented, though the qualities (or failures) of character presented sometimes troubled me. It surprised that the personal conflicts and struggles between and among our forefathers were so present at the time when brotherhood was so crucially needed. But I have to accept the authors word for the most part as it seems authentic.
Throughout the book, the reader (an audio book) and the words were just such a great pleasure to hear and know.
I am grateful so much for good books.
May 18, 2021
A worthy examination of one of America’s most prominent “Forgotten Founding Fathers.” No other figure had such a seminal influence on the three most important documents of the American political order: the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. This modern biography goes a long way toward giving Mason his overdue praise for his sizable contributions to the American Experiment.
October 24, 2020
I am still trying to figure out why I don't remember hearing much about George Mason in all my years of schooling. We at least owe this man some recognition for the critical role he played in ensuring our freedom and for his determination to stand firm on his principles (a stand that probably cost him the recognition he deserves).
March 19, 2021
Mason doesn’t get the credit he’s due as one of our nation’s founding fathers. The author makes a convincing argument that he was the author of the Bill of Rights, along with making significant contributions to the Declaration of Independence.
Read
October 23, 2019It's like they tried to make him boring.
January 23, 2023
Insightful read about the Founding Father who valued individual rights the most.
February 10, 2023
While informative a bit repetitive and defensive.
January 31, 2024
Good book on a man that is often not talked about when we talk about the founders
November 17, 2024
Interesting but slow
October 15, 2020
As a long-time admirer of Mason's commitment to liberty, I was pleased with Hyland's biographical thoroughness.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews