George Mason: Reluctant Statesman

by Robert Allen Rutland

George Mason of Gunston Hall was a scholarly craftsman of government during America's crucial formative years. His Virginia Declaration of Rights provided a sense of purpose and direction to the rebellious colonies, and his vigorous insistence on the protection of personal liberties in the Constitution is reflected in the document's first ten amendments, the Bill of Rights. Fellow Virginian Thomas Jefferson said of Mason that he "was of the first order of greatness."

Few Americans who have served their country, however, have met with as little recognition. Essentially a private person who cared nothing for political prestige, Mason had been overshadowed by the other founders of the Republic―although most of them had turned to him for advice and direction. In a concise, cogently written biography, a distinguished historian restores the "reluctant statesman" to his proper place in the pantheon of America's greatest citizens.

Genres: Biography, History, American Revolution, Nonfiction, Ebooks, American History

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1961

About the author

After serving in the Pacific Theater with the U.S. Army during World War II, he received a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Oklahoma in 1947. He earned a master's degree in history from Cornell University in 1950 and a Ph.D. in history from Vanderbilt University in 1953.

Reviews

[Cecelia Brennan Femenella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read about one of my favorite founding fathers that has been losing history texts today. You know not everyone signed the Dec of independence. Some scholars like Mason wanted less govt & more rights to the states and individual citizens.

[Kalman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short presentation of what little is known of George Mason's life.

[Nadia Berry]

I had to read this for school. Luckily it wasn’t too boring. :)

[Savanah · Rating 3 out of 5]

To see my thoughts on this book please visit my blog.
https://savanahsplace.blogspot.com/20...

[Chris Burd · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this short biography of George Mason, however it is very limited in scope. While it does cover Mason's early childhood and beginnings, the focus is very much on Mason's political career. Little is said of his family, and his second wife warrants only a single sentence. The biography also does not provide a lot of context or details around the events in which Mason was a participant, instead assuming that the reader is already very familiar with (or not entirely interested in) the details around American Colonial, Revolutionary and Constitutional history.

However, when read alongside more complete historical narratives, Mr. Rutland does a nice job of explaining Mason's role and his lasting legacy.

[Jonathan]

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