John Jay Founding Father [Hardcover]

John Jay was a central figure in the early history of the American Republic. A New York lawyer, born in 1745, Jay served his country with the greatest distinction and was one of the most influential of its Founding Fathers. In the first full-length biography in almost seventy years, Walter Stahr brings Jay vividly to life, setting his astonishing career against the background of the American Revolution.

Drawing on substantial new material, Walter Stahr has written a full and highly readable portrait of both the public and private man. It is the story not only of John Jay himself, the most prominent native-born New Yorker of the eighteenth century, but also of his engaging and intelligent wife, Sarah, who accompanied her husband on his wartime diplomatic missions. This lively and compelling biography presents Jay in the light he deserves: as a major Founding Father, a true national hero, and a leading architect of America's future.

Illustrations
Acknowledgements
Introduction
1 New York
2 The Law
3 Resistance Leader
4 Revolutionary Leader
5 President of the Continental Congress
6 Minister to Spain
7 Peace Commissioner
8 American in Paris
9 Secretary for Foreign Affairs
10 Home and Society
11 Federalist
12 First Chief Justice
13 Envoy to England
14 Governor of New York
15 Retirement
16 Conclusions
Notes
Bibliography
Index

Walter Stahris an international lawyer for Emerging Markets Partnership in Washington, DC. He lives in Vienna, Virginia.