George Read

Read, George (1733–98), American Revolutionary leader. As a representative of Delaware, he signed both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, one of only 6 people to do so. After serving as Delaware's attorney general (1763–74) and legislator (1765–77), Read represented the state in the first 2 Continental Congresses (1774–77). At the Constitutional Convention of 1787, he was an outspoken proponent of the rights of smaller states; his efforts helped Delaware become the first state to ratify the Constitution and enter the Union. He served as one of Delaware's first 2 U.S. senators and served (1789–93) until he was named chief justice of the Delaware Supreme Court, a position he held until his death.