George Mason's aversion to slavery and his vigorous condemnation of the institution remained a constant throughout his life. Even so, Mason never freed the people he enslaved.

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George Mason held slaves, but nevertheless condemned the practice.

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Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, George Mason and other Founders agonized over slavery and what to do to bring about its end.

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Learn about two Founders' views on slavery on today's podcast.

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The Virginia Declaration of Rights of 1776 was extremely influential.

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The Virginia Declaration of Rights laid out a number of important principles of American government.

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Among the important principles set forth in the Virginia Declaration of rights is that all power is derived from the people and that government officials are their trustees and servants.

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George Mason was the primary author of the Virginia Declaration of Rights and its "Constitution and Form of Government." The Virginia Declaration of Rights influenced the Declaration of Independence, state constitutions, and the Bill of Rights

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George Mason, America's "forgotten founder," wrote the famous Fairfax Resolves in 1774, which were intended, as George Washington explained, to "defend our Constitutional Rights" and to set forth our fundamental principles.

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Like many of America's founders, George Mason had many good attributes. Nevertheless, his legacy is tarnished by the fact that was a slaveholder, as were George Washington, James Madison, and Thomas Jefferson.

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