The Forsaken Founder by Scott S. Greenberger tells the story of Gouverneur Morris, one of America’s Founding Fathers who played a significant role in shaping the country but never became as famous as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, or Alexander Hamilton.

Morris was a fascinating character. He was intelligent, outspoken, politically savvy, and never afraid to express his opinions, even when they went against those of his fellow founders. He played an important role in drafting the Constitution and is credited with much of its final wording, including the famous opening, “We the People.” But Morris’s contributions went far beyond writing. He helped support the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, contributed to the development of America’s financial system, and recognized the importance of connecting New York to the country’s expanding interior. He also opposed slavery at a time when many of his fellow founders were willing to compromise on the issue, exposing one of the biggest contradictions in America’s founding ideals.

The book also follows Morris to France, where he served as an American diplomat during the French Revolution. Witnessing the turmoil and bloodshed of the Reign of Terror gave him a firsthand look at how quickly a revolution fought in the name of liberty could descend into violence and oppression. Through Morris’s remarkable life, Greenberger offers a fresh look at the founding of the United States and raises an interesting question: Why has someone who contributed so much to the country been largely overshadowed by other historical figures?

Morris was an avid diarist, which meant there were firsthand sources for much of the history we’ve been taught in the abstract. I had to wonder why he wasn’t considered more of a source of information for this period. My guess would be his social standing was part of it. He bucked social norms in many ways, being quite the philanderer who remained single for much of his life. When he finally did decide to marry, it was a woman who had been scandalized in Virginia. Morris didn’t care, which I admire.

I find the story of Gouverneur Morris particularly interesting because it reminds us that the American Revolution and the founding of the country involved so many important people whose names we don’t hear nearly as often as we should. Most of us are familiar with Washington, Jefferson, and Hamilton, but Morris was right there in the middle of some of the most important events in American history. His role in shaping the Constitution alone makes him worth learning about, but what really makes his story stand out is the combination of his political achievements, his outspoken personality, and his willingness to challenge the status quo.

I especially appreciate the attention given to Morris’s opposition to slavery. It is impossible to look at the founding of America without confronting the contradiction between the ideals of freedom and equality and the reality of slavery. Morris’s willingness to speak out against that contradiction makes him an especially interesting figure to explore. I also like that the book follows him beyond America and into revolutionary France. That part of his life adds another dimension to the story and shows just how complicated the pursuit of liberty can become when political ideals collide with reality.

One thing that might make this book less appealing to some readers is the amount of political and historical detail. If you prefer fast-paced historical narratives filled primarily with battles and dramatic events, some of the discussions about government, finance, and constitutional politics may feel a little slow. However, for readers who enjoy understanding how a country was built and the people behind those decisions, that detail is part of the appeal.

I also think the title raises an interesting point. Morris may not be as widely recognized as some of his contemporaries, but his story suggests that the history we learn often gives more attention to a handful of familiar names while leaving other influential people in the background.

The Forsaken Founder is a worthwhile read for anyone who enjoys American history and wants to learn about someone beyond the usual Founding Fathers. It offers an opportunity to look at the creation of the United States from a different perspective and to appreciate the complicated personalities, disagreements, and compromises that helped shape the nation. For me, the biggest takeaway is that history is rarely the work of just a few famous individuals. There are often other people working behind the scenes, making important contributions without receiving the same recognition. Gouverneur Morris appears to be a perfect example of that.

Note: Thank you to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster, and author Scott S. Greenberger for the advance reader copy of this book. This review will also be posted on NetGalley. This has been my unbiased review of the book.