To the framers of the Constitution, political parties were a threat to republican virtues. Yet parties emerged even before ratification of the Constitution, and they took firmer root in the following decade. Founding Partisans offers a fresh and lively narrative of the early republic as the Founding Fathers fought one another with competing visions of what our nation would be.
H.W. Brands is the Jack S. Blanton Sr. Chair in History at the University of Texas at Austin. He writes on American history and politics, with books including The Last Campaign, Our First Civil War and The Zealot and the Emancipator. Several of his books have been bestsellers; two, Traitor to His Class and The First American, were finalists for the Pulitzer Prize. He lectures frequently on historical and current events and can be seen and heard on national and international television and radio. He publishes history-themed poetry on Twitter and “A User’s Guide to History” on Substack.Contact
Stephen A. McLeod
Director, Library Programs
703.799.8686
smcleod@mountvernon.org
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Washington, D.C. Metro Area
Plan Your Visit
Discover the Home of George and Martha Washington
Discover the Home of George and Martha Washington
Open 365 days a year, Mount Vernon is located just 15 miles south of Washington DC.
The Estate
The Estate
There's So Much to See
There's So Much to See
From the mansion to lush gardens and grounds, intriguing museum galleries, immersive programs, and the distillery and gristmill. Spend the day with us!
George Washington
Youth
French & Indian War
Revolutionary War
Constitution
First President
Martha Washington
Slavery
Native Americans
Religion
Family
George Washington
Farmer, Soldier, Statesman, and Husband
Farmer, Soldier, Statesman, and Husband
Discover what made Washington "first in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen".
Preservation
Preservation
Did You Know?
Did You Know?
The Mount Vernon Ladies Association has been maintaining the Mount Vernon Estate since they acquired it from the Washington family in 1858.
Education
Teachers and Students
For Your American History Class
For Your American History Class
Need primary and secondary sources, videos, or interactives? Explore our Education Pages!
Washington Library
Washington Library
The Library of the First President
The Library of the First President
The Washington Library is open to all researchers and scholars, by appointment only.