1776 Historical References--People
James Troutman
Date: 2003/07/13
Last revised: 2003/07/13
(Still very much a work in progress)
In 1776 Peter Stone and Sherman Edwards freely adapt the historical record to create an engaging, witty look at the events that lead up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Each character in the cast is based upon a historical person. This page offers capsule summaries and references for further reading for each member of the cast. See also the general 1776 references page.
John Adams[This paragraph temporarily left blank]
Abigail Adams[This paragraph temporarily left blank]
Benjamin Franklin[This paragraph temporarily left blank]
Richard Henry LeeRichard Henry Lee (1732-1794) was born into one of the oldest and most famous families in Virginia. An early and outspoken advocate of independence, on June 7, 1776, he introduced the resolution in Congress stating "That these united colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states."
Dr. Lyman Hall[This paragraph temporarily left blank]
Andrew McNair[This paragraph temporarily left blank]
Stephen Hopkins[This paragraph temporarily left blank]
Edward Rutledge[This paragraph temporarily left blank]
Colonel Thomas McKean[This paragraph temporarily left blank]
Caesar Rodney[This paragraph temporarily left blank]
George Reed[This paragraph temporarily left blank]
John Dickinson[This paragraph temporarily left blank]
Judge James Wilson[This paragraph temporarily left blank]
Lewis Morris[This paragraph temporarily left blank]
Robert Livingston[This paragraph temporarily left blank]
Roger Sherman[This paragraph temporarily left blank]
Joseph Hewes[This paragraph temporarily left blank]
Samuel Chase[This paragraph temporarily left blank]
Josiah Bartlett[This paragraph temporarily left blank]
Thomas Jefferson[This paragraph temporarily left blank]
John Hancock[This paragraph temporarily left blank]
Charles Thomson[This paragraph temporarily left blank]
Reverend John Witherspoon[This paragraph temporarily left blank]
Martha Jefferson[This paragraph temporarily left blank]
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Additional Information
The Declaration of Independence
Related Products
| 1776 - The Director's Cut DVD of the 1972 Motion Picture -- see my review of this DVD release of the movie. Executive Summary: if you love the show, you'll want this DVD. | |
| 1776 - Original Broadway Cast recording CD (1969) -- an indispensable recording for anyone who loves 1776. William Daniels is the definitive John Adams. Alas, because of illness, Howard Da Silva doesn't appear, and his replacement, while not bad, just isn't ... Howard Da Silva. | |
| 1776 - New Broadway Cast recording CD of the 1997 New York Revival -- not a bad recording, but it will probably appeal mainly to those who saw the revival or to fans of Mr. Spiner. And completists, of course. :-) | |
| 1776 - Vocal Selections -- includes most of the songs from the original production in playable piano arrangements that are mostly similar to the arrangements in the show. There are some notable exceptions, however, e.g., Is Anybody There?, which has a different arrangement and different lyrics from what appear in the show. | |
| 1776: A Musical Play by Peter Stone and Sherman Edwards -- includes the complete text of the play, a Historical Note by the authors, the complete text of Jefferson's original draft for the Declaration of Independence with the elisions clearly marked, and a bibliography. |
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