George Read (1733-1798)

He was born in Maryland and moved to Delaware in childhood. He studied law in Philadelphia and was admitted to the Bar in 1753, establishing a successful practice in New Castle, Delaware. He entered politics in 1763 when he was elected to the Delaware Colonial Assembly. He attended the Continental Congress from 1774 to 1777, initially opposing independence but ultimately signing the Declaration of Independence in 1776. He also signed the Articles of Confederation. During the Revolutionary War, he served in Delaware's government, becoming President (Governor) of Delaware from 1777 to 1778. He played a crucial role at the Constitutional Convention in 1787, advocating for equal representation of the states in the Senate - a position that became part of the Great Compromise. After Ratification, he served as one of Delaware's first U.S. Senators from 1789 to 1793. He was briefly Chief Justice of Delaware in 1793 before being appointed Chief Justice of the U.S. District Court for Delaware, a position he held until his death in New Castle. He remains notable as the only person to sign both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution having first voted against independence.