James Smith, signer of the Declaration of Independence, died in 1806. He represented Pennsylvania. His exact date of birth is unknown, but he was born in Ireland around 1719. A fire in 1803 destroyed many documents by and about Smith, so little is known about him. Children could learn more at: James Smith.
Elizabeth Enright (born Oak Park, Illinois, 1909; died Wainscott, New York, June 8, 1968) wrote and illustrated works for both children and adults. She received the Newbery Medal in 1939 for Thimble Summer and a 1958 Newbery Honor Award for Gone-Away Lake. Children could learn more at: Elizabeth Enright.
Rube Foster (born Andrew Foster in Calvert, Texas, 1879; died Kankakee, Illinois, December 9, 1930) was “The Father of Negro Baseball.” He was a pitcher and manager of the Chicago Lelands and the Chicago American Giants before he organized the Negro National League. He was the League’s president from its inception until his death. Children can learn more at: Rube Foster.
Gail Carson Levine (born New York, New York, 1947) has written at least 25 books for children. Her Ella Enchanted was a 1998 Newbery Honor book. She also wrote A Tale of Two Castles and The Wish. Children could visit her website at: Gail Carson Levine.
John Rutledge (born Charleston, South Carolina, 1739; died Charleston, South Carolina, July 18, 1800) represented South Carolina at the Constitutional Convention. He started his law career at age eleven, and he eventually served in South Carolina’s Supreme Court. Children could learn more at: John Rutledge.
David H. Souter (born Melrose, Massachusetts, 1939) is a retired associate justice of the Supreme Court. He served on the Supreme Court from October 8, 1990 to June 29, 2009. Children can learn more at: David H. Souter.
James Smith (born Ulster, Ireland, 1719; died York, Pennsylvania, July 11, 1806) signed the Declaration of Independence. Representing Pennsylvania at the Second Continental Congress, he was a lawyer and surveyor. Children can learn more at: James Smith.
Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben
Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben (born Magdeburg, Prussia, 1730; died Remsen, New York, November 28, 1794) aided the American army during the Revolutionary War. General George Washington made him a major general. He was in charge of the army’s training. He taught them how to march and to use muskets and bayonets. Older children could read a biography of him at: Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben.