30 Facts About Thomas McKean

Thomas McKean was an American lawyer, politician, and Founding Father.

Thomas McKean served as president of Delaware, chief justice of Pennsylvania, and the second governor of Pennsylvania.

Thomas McKean's father was a tavern keeper and both his parents were Irish-born Protestants who came to Pennsylvania as children from Ballymoney, County Antrim, Ireland.

Thomas McKean was educated by Reverend Francis Alison at his school in New Castle, Delaware.

Mary Borden Thomas McKean died in 1773 and is buried at Immanuel Episcopal Church in New Castle.

Letitia Thomas McKean married Dr George Buchanan and was the mother of Admiral Franklin Buchanan.

In 1768, Thomas McKean was elected to the revived American Philosophical Society.

Thomas McKean was the epitome of the Country Party politician and was, as much as anyone else, its leader.

Thomas McKean proposed the voting procedure that the Continental Congress later adopted: each colony, regardless of size or population, would have one vote.

Thomas McKean quickly became one of the most influential members of the Stamp Act Congress.

Thomas McKean was on the committee that drew the memorial to parliament and, with John Rutledge and Philip Livingston, revised its proceedings.

Thomas McKean arose and addressing the chair insisted that the president give his reasons for his refusal.

In spite of his primary residence in Philadelphia, Thomas McKean remained the effective leader for American independence in Delaware.

Thomas McKean requested that the absent Rodney ride all night from Dover to break the tie.

Thomas McKean augmented the rights of defendants and sought penal reform, but on the other hand was slow to recognize expansion of the legal rights of women and the processes in the state's gradual elimination of slavery.

Thomas McKean was a member of the convention of Pennsylvania that ratified the Constitution of the United States.

Thomas McKean argued that the matter should be left up to the courts, not the military, to prosecute and punish the rebels.

Thomas McKean was elected governor of Pennsylvania and served three terms from December 17,1799, to December 20,1808.

At first, Thomas McKean ousted Federalists from state government positions and so he has been called the father of the spoils system.

However, in seeking a third term in 1805, Thomas McKean was at odds with factions of his own Democratic-Republican Party, and the Pennsylvania General Assembly instead nominated Speaker Simon Snyder for governor.

Thomas McKean then forged an alliance with Federalists, called "the Quids," and defeated Snyder.

Thomas McKean spent his retirement in Philadelphia in writing, discussing political affairs, and enjoying the considerable wealth that he had earned through investments and real estate.

Thomas McKean was a member of the Pennsylvania Society of the Cincinnati in 1785 and was its vice president.

Thomas McKean died in Philadelphia and was buried in the First Presbyterian Church Cemetery there.

Thomas McKean was over six feet tall, and he typically wore a large cocked hat and carried a gold-headed cane.

In truth, Thomas McKean and Read belonged to opposing political factions in Delaware, but Thomas McKean was not a Scottish immigrant.

Thomas McKean's parents were Irish Presbyterians.

Thomas McKean's surname is pronounced mc-CANE but was mispronounced as mc-KEEN in the film adaptation of the musical.

Thomas McKean was portrayed by Bruce MacKay in the original Broadway cast and Ray Middleton in the 1972 film version.

Thomas McKean served as state president only temporarily, filling the vacancy created by John McKinly's capture and resignation and awaiting the arrival of George Read.