George Read is a founding father not known by many today, but during his lifetime, he was a man known by many for his integrity and generosity. He gave not only his time, but also his money to the creation of the new republic. He was also the brother-in-law of fellow signer, George Ross.

Born on September 18, 1733, in Cecil County, Maryland, Mr. Read was born into a family with means and was afforded a robust education during his childhood. Upon completion of his basic studies, he read (studied) law under the supervision of John Moland, a prominent Philadelphia lawyer, at the age of 15. When he was 19 years of age, the keenness of his mind was evidenced when he was admitted to the bar. Concurrently, George Read, the eldest Read son, relinquished his inherent right to two shares of father’s estate. This meant the shares fell to his brothers. He performed this generous act for he felt he had received a sufficient amount of inheritance through his education.   

Ten years later, George Read was appointed crown attorney general at the age of 29 over the Lower Three Counties, present-day Delaware. As a loyalist, he was not, however, without clear sight of the unconstitutional taxes England was foisting upon the colonies. In a letter to his friend, Sir Richard Neave, he warned the eventual governor of the Bank of England the colonies would not accept a reality in which they were taxed and not granted representation in Parliament. After seeing nothing come of his warning to the British government regarding this, he resigned. In 1774, he was elected to be a delegate to the Continental Congress.

On July 2, 1776, when independence from Great Britain was raised in the Congress for a vote, George Read felt it was too soon. He believed reconciliation with the Crown was still possible and, therefore, voted against the Lee Resolution for independence at the Second Continental Congress. By August 2nd, however, the Delaware delegate had come to the conclusion reconciliation was no longer an option and joined the others in signing the Declaration of Independence.  

To mark the momentous occasion, he demonstrated his fashion bona fides by wearing amethyst-studded shoes to the occasion (During the 18th century, amethyst had the equivalent value of diamonds). His choice of such a luxurious shoe was not an anomaly. Mr. Read relied heavily on a local businessman who was his consultant regarding finer things. He advised Mr. Read on his wardrobe choices as well how he stocked his wine cellar and cigar humidor. 

Ill health forced George Read to retire from public service in 1779. But he did not stay away for too long. In 1782, the Episcopalian was appointed a judge of the court of appeals in admiralty cases. In 1787, he represented his fellow Delawareans at the U.S. Constitutional Convention. Mr. Read also served two terms as a Delaware state senator and then as chief justice of the state. Tragically, he died suddenly while in office on September 21, 1798. 

George Read lived to be 65 years of age.