WASHINGTON—The Heritage Foundation today released “American Founders: Leaders at the Creation of the Republic,” an online book building on the popular 2002 Heritage volume “The Founders’ Almanac.” Released ahead of America’s 250th anniversary next summer, Heritage’s new book highlights 16 of the nation's leading Founders and their contributions to the nascent American Republic.  

John Malcolm, vice president of Heritage’s Institute for Constitutional Government, praised the book’s compelling content: 

“This book, which was made possible by the generous donation from David and Patricia Caldwell, provides a compelling and easy-to-use guide to the origins of American democracy. Readers can enjoy stories about the lives of these important Founders to demonstrate that they were real people, not distant historical figures, facing many crises and making critical decisions that would decide the fate and well-being of the nation.” 

The leaders celebrated in the book were the men and women of Bunker Hill and Bennington, Boston and Philadelphia who forged a "new and more noble course" dedicated to proving that the people can govern themselves. Their ranks include George Washington, Thomas Paine, John Dickinson, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, George Mason, Mercy Otis Warren, John Marshall, and others.  

Colleen Sheehan, the leading editor and a contributor in the new book, added: 

“It's fitting that a book on the American Founders comes from The Heritage Foundation on the eve of our country's 250th birthday. This new volume is about the meaning and purpose of America, as understood by the Founding Fathers. It captures the timeless ideas that formed the basis of the American Republic, and it challenges contemporary citizens to think about those ideas anew, looking to the best aspirations of our past to guide us to a better future.” 

Learn more about the book here.