Thirty-nine percent (39%) of Americans say that George Washington is the greatest of the nation’s Founding Fathers. A Rasmussen Reports survey of 1,000 adults found that 26% named Thomas Jefferson as the greatest of the Founders while 21% preferred Benjamin Franklin.

While the nation’s first President (Washington) and third President (Jefferson) found plenty of support, the nation’s second President didn’t fare so well. John Adams was seen as the greatest Founder by just 4% of Americans.

Washington, more than any other Founding Father, quickly became as much a legend as a man. Leader of the Continental Army, his presence was essential at the Constitutional Convention. For better or worse, when the position of President was created, everyone had Washington in mind as the man who would first fill that role. Very conscious of the precedents he would set, Washington gave his nation a lasting gift by retiring after two terms rather than acting like a king and serving until he died in office. That precedent was honored for more than 150 years.

Adams was the nation’s first Vice President, first incumbent to be defeated in a re-election bid, the first President to live in the White House, and first President to have a son elected to the White House (George Bush is the only other President in that latter category).

Jefferson, known primarily as the author of the Declaration of Independence, also served as the nation’s first Secretary of State and founded the nation’s first political party, a party that eventually became today’s Democratic Party. The Virginian won his trip to the White House by defeating Adams in the election of 1800. That pivotal election ushered in 24 years of Virginians in the White House. Ultimately, that string was broken by Adams’ son, John Quincy Adams.

The relationship between Adams and Jefferson was one of the most fascinating in American politics. They were close friends during the Revolutionary War era and served together on the committee that drafted the Declaration of Independence. Their Presidential competition led to a falling out that lasted more than a decade. When the friendship resumed in 1812, the letters back and forth became a treasure trove for historians seeking to understand the founding generation of America’s political leaders. Both Jefferson and Adams died on July 4, 1826—fifty years to the day after the Declaration of Independence was announced and a nation was born.

Fifty percent (50%) of Republicans today rate Washington as the greatest Founder. That view is shared by 37% of Democrats and 30% of those not affiliated with either major party.

Jefferson is rated number one by 22% of Republicans, 27% of Democrats, and 29% of unaffiliateds.

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