Charles Thomson
Charles Thomson | |
|---|---|
Portrait by Joseph Wright, c. 1785 | |
| Secretary of the Continental Congress | |
| In office September 5, 1774 – July 23, 1789 | |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Position abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 29, 1729 |
| Died | August 16, 1824 (aged 94) Lower Merion Township, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Resting place | Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Spouse(s) | Ruth Mather (m. 1758, d. 1769) Hannah Harrison (m. 1774, d. 1807) |
| Children | Twin daughters (died in infancy) |
| Signature | |
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| United States Continental Congress |
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Charles Thomson (November 29, 1729 – August 16, 1824) was an Irish-born Founding Father of the United States and secretary of the Continental Congress (1774–1789) throughout its existence. As secretary, Thomson prepared the Journals of the Continental Congress, and his and John Hancock's names were the only two to appear on the first printing of the United States Declaration of Independence.
Thomson is also known for co-designing the Great Seal of the United States and adding its Latin mottoes Annuit cœptis and Novus ordo seclorum. In 1808 his translation of the Bible's Old Testament was published, after almost two decades of work.