Charles Thomson

Charles Thomson, a teacher and friend of Benjamin Franklin, was asked to keep the minutes of the first Continental Congress in 1774. He remained the sole secretary of Congress until his resignation in 1789. Much respected by his contemporaries, he was described by Abbe Rodin of Rochambea's staff, after a meeting in Philadelphia: "Among others, Charles Thomson, secretary of Congress, the soul of that political body, came also to receive and present his compliments. His meager figure, furrowed countenance, his hollow, sparkling eyes, his white, straight hair, that did not hang quite so low as his ears, fixed our thorough attention, and filled us with surprise and admiration."

[credit: Benson J. Lossing drawing, 1850]