Many of America's founding fathers were adventurers, pioneers and pilgrims - people who pinned their hopes on the promise of the New World. Whether they left England hoping to find their fortunes or their freedom, the names of some of the best known, along with others who helped to shape the future of the nation, can be found in the table below.
Click on each name for a short biography of that person or click right to go directly to sites associated with them.
If you prefer, look for links with original British colonies. The relevant points in longer texts will be marked with a US Flag.