John Jay

U.S. Congressperson

1745 – 1829

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Who was John Jay?

John Jay was an American statesman, Patriot, diplomat, Founding Father of the United States, signer of the Treaty of Paris, and first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

Jay was born into a wealthy family of merchants and government officials in New York City. He became a lawyer and joined the New York Committee of Correspondence and organized opposition to British rule. He joined a conservative political faction that, fearing mob rule, sought to protect property rights and maintain the rule of law while resisting British violations of human rights.

Jay served as the President of the Continental Congress, an honorific position with little power. During and after the American Revolution, Jay was a Minister to Spain, France and Secretary of Foreign Affairs, helping to fashion United States foreign policy. His major diplomatic achievement was to negotiate favorable trade terms with Great Britain in the Treaty of London of 1794 when he was still serving as Supreme Court Chief Justice.

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Born
Dec 12, 1745
New York City
Also known as
  • 约翰·杰伊
  • Джей, Джон
Siblings
Spouses
Children
Religion
  • Episcopal Church
Nationality
  • United States of America
Profession
Education
  • Columbia University
  • Columbia College of Columbia University in the City of New York
Lived in
  • New York City
Died
May 17, 1829
Bedford

Submitted
on July 23, 2013

Citation

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"John Jay." Biographies.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 29 Mar. 2024. <https://www.biographies.net/people/en/john_jay>.

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