(September 18, 1733–September 21, 1798), was a signer of the Declaration of Independence; a signer of the U.S. Constitution; a delegate from Delaware to the Constitutional Convention; a U.S. Senator, 1789–93; and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Delaware.
As a youth, George Read studied at the seminary of Rev. Dr. Allison at New London. At the age of 17, he began reading law with John Moland Esq., and two years later was admitted to the bar.1020 In 1769, he married the daughter of Reverend George Ross, who was the pastor of Immanuel Church in Newcastle for 50 years. George Read’s wife was described as:
Beautiful, her manners elegant and her piety exemplary.1021
Known as “the Father of Delaware,” George Read wrote “the first edition of her laws,”1022 and the Constitution of the State. The requirements, stated in the Delaware Constitution, necessary for holding office include:
DELAWARE 1776. Article XXII. Every person who shall be chosen a member of either house, or appointed to any office or place of trust … shall … make and subscribe the following declaration, to wit: “I, ________, do profess faith in God the Father, and in Jesus Christ His only Son, and in the Holy Ghost, one God, blessed for evermore; and I do acknowledge the holy scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be given by divine inspiration.”1023