Dave Davies

He grew up in Scotland.

Tell us about his background.

Right.

He immigrates to the United States and settles in Pennsylvania, gets a law degree, and quickly becomes a well-recognized and prosperous lawyer.

He eventually is a delegate to the Continental Congress in 1776, which drafted the Declaration of Independence.

What have you learned about his role in drafting that document?

So he kept it secret for what, six, eight years?

Right.

The words, we hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal.

It's likely that Wilson had some significant influence on Jefferson's thinking.

Right.

It's interesting that he authored this legal theory, which led to the radical conclusion that the colonies could separate from Britain.

But he himself was more cautious about that, wasn't anxious to do that initially.

But nonetheless, the declaration was signed.

The rupture was complete.

The Revolutionary War erupted.

And there's this remarkable episode in 1779, just a few years into the war, when James Wilson has moved his family into Philadelphia after the British have evacuated it.

They had occupied the city for, I guess, nine months or so.

And it was tough.

I mean, there were killings.