The legal giant whose Commentaries on the Laws of England became the encyclopedia of common law; he laid down the law like no one else. His explanations of the sources and appropriate application of common law were well known to every Founding Father.

The philosopher who made the case for life, liberty, and property; his ideas sparked revolutions and helped lay the foundation of popular sovereignty.

The Scottish skeptic who questioned everything and still managed to charm with his wit and wisdom. His “History of England” was immeasurably influential.

The Scottish skeptic who questioned everything and still managed to charm with his wit and wisdom. His “History of England” was immeasurably influential.

The biographer whose Parallel Lives made ancient heroes feel like next-door neighbors; he brought history to life with every pen stroke.

The young Italian thinker who argued that punishment should fit the crime; he insisted that justice was a cause worth fighting for.

The dynamic duo who wrote Cato’s Letters, stirring up republican sentiment with their pen-and-paper rebellion.

The Swiss writer who dissected the English constitution with surgical precision, revealing the secrets of its success.

The German jurist who saw the law of nations as a science, making the case for natural rights with academic flair. His blending of law and religion was inspiring to the Founding Father.

The legal lion whose fight for common law and parliamentary power roared through history, leaving an indelible mark.