Dickinson, John
lawyer, congressman, author, was born Nov. 13, 1732, in Maryland. In 1764 he was a member of the assembly, and in 1765 of the general congress. He was a delegate to the continental from 1774 to 1776.
From 1776 to 1777 he was a delegate to congress from Delaware, and again from 1779 to 1780, and signed the articles of confederation as well as the constitution. In 1781 he was president of that state; and in 1782 was chosen president of Pennsylvania, and filled that office until 1785. He was a political writer of great influence during the period of the revolution. Dickinson college, which he helped to found, was named in his honor.
He wrote vigorously against the stamp act, and his various state papers display both eloquence and dignity. His works are Petition to the King; Second Petition to the King; Letters from a Pennsylvania Farmer; Letters of Fabius. He died Feb. 14, 1808, in Wilmington.