John Dunlap

 John Dunlap, born in Strabane, Ireland, in 1747, was a prominent American printer, publisher, and patriot whose contributions to the fledgling United States were both cultural and military. He died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on November 27, 1812. As a young boy, Dunlap moved from Ireland to America to live with his uncle, William Dunlap, a printer and publisher in Philadelphia. Under his uncle's guidance, he learned the printing trade, and by the age of eighteen, he had fully entered the printing business, showing remarkable skill and ambition. In November 1771, Dunlap launched the Pennsylvania Packet, a newspaper that would become one of the most influential publications in early America. In 1784, Dunlap transformed the Pennsylvania Packet into a daily newspaper, making it the first daily publication in the United States. The paper later evolved into the North American and United States Gazette, which continued to serve as a vital source of news and opinion for Philadelphians and helped shape the country's early press landscape.

Dunlap’s role as a printer became critical to the American Revolution. He was appointed printer to the Continental Congress, a role that positioned him at the center of one of America’s defining moments. In this capacity, Dunlap was entrusted with the first official printing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. His press produced the now-famous "Dunlap broadsides," the earliest printed copies of the Declaration, which were distributed to the colonies and British forces alike, igniting the revolutionary spirit among Americans and boldly announcing their intentions to the world. These broadsides are treasured artifacts of American history, and only about twenty-five copies are known to exist today.

Beyond his contributions to American media, Dunlap was also active in supporting the Revolution through direct action. He served as an officer in the First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry, a volunteer cavalry unit that played a distinguished role in the war. His unit became the bodyguard of General George Washington, escorting him during the battles of Trenton and Princeton, two pivotal moments in the Revolutionary War that helped shift momentum toward the American cause. His service with the First Troop exemplified his commitment not only to independence but also to the personal defense of the nation’s leaders.

Dunlap was also noted for his philanthropy in support of the war effort. In 1780, he donated £4,000—a considerable sum at the time—to supply provisions to the Continental Army, helping to alleviate shortages that threatened the American forces. His financial support, alongside his printing and military service, demonstrated his dedication to the success of the Revolution and to the welfare of his fellow patriots.

John Dunlap’s legacy is multifaceted. His contributions to American journalism, his support of the Revolutionary War through both service and substantial financial backing, and his role in the dissemination of the Declaration of Independence established him as a foundational figure in American history. Dunlap’s life exemplifies the spirit of the American Revolution, marked by courage, sacrifice, and a commitment to the ideals that would shape the United States.