Founding Statesman: John Jay and the Creation of the United States

FAIN: FEJ-309451-25

Jonathan Den Hartog
Samford University (Birmingham, AL 35229-0001)

Research and writing towards a biography of John Jay (1745-1829), U.S. diplomat and first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

I am applying for a Chairman’s Award, with the purpose of completing a significant book manuscript, Founding Statesman: John Jay and the Creation of the United States. Jay was an indispensable figure in the founding of the U.S., serving as President of Congress, Diplomat to Spain, Negotiator of the 1783 Paris Peace Treaty, Secretary of Foreign Affairs, First Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Special Minister to Great Britain, and Governor of New York. Jay’s story is vitally important for understanding the American Founding, and with the 250th anniversary of independence on the horizon a new biography will make an important contribution at a time when citizens are increasingly interested in the Founding era. The grant will last six months, January-June 2026. The funds would allow for the course release and time necessary to complete the manuscript. The result of the grant would be to have a finalized manuscript ready to submit to a press at the end of the granting period.