Imperfect Men

On this episode, Steve and Cody discuss the persistent nominee and 18th century doppelganger of Larry Fine, Rufus King.Sources·        Arbena, Joseph L. "Politics or Principle? Rufus King and the Opposition to Slavery, 1785-1825.'' Essex Institute Historical Collections 101 (January 1965): 56-77.·        Ernst, Robert. Rufus King: American Federalist. Chapel Hill, NC: U. of North Carolina Press, 1968.·        Reeser, Robert E. "Rufus King and the Federalist Party.'' Ph.D. dissertation, Los Angeles, CA: U. of California-Los Angeles, 1948.·        See General Sources page on website for additional sources

On this episode, Steve and Cody discuss William Samuel Johnson, the legal genius and educator that guided the final text of the Constitution.Sources·        Groce, Jr., George C. William Samuel Johnson: A Maker of the Constitution. New York City, NY: AMS Press, 1937.·        McCaughey, Elizabeth P. From Loyalist to Founding Father: The Political Odyssey of William Samuel Johnson. New York City, NY: Columbia U. Press, 1980.·        See General Sources page for additional sources

This week's episode keeps us in Maryland and follows up the weirdest signer's name with the blandest signer's name, Thomas Johnson.Sources·        Amt, Emilie. 2018. “Slavery at Rose Hill, Frederick, Maryland.” Research paper, Hood College. <https://emilieamt.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Slavery-at-Rose-Hill-Manor-Frederick.pdf>. Retrieved 3 Mar 2026.·        Delaplaine, Edward. The Life of Thomas Johnson. New York City, NY: Grafton Press, 1927.·        Court Listener. “Georgia v. Brailsford.” <https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/84680/georgia-v-brailsford/>. Retrieved 3 Mar 2026.·        See General Sources page on website for a complete list of sources

On this episode, Cody and Steve talk about the weirdly named signer who loved big cuffs, Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer.Sources·        Farrell, Joe, et al. Graves of Our Founders: Their Lives, Contributions, and Burial Sites. Mechanicsburg, PA: Sunbury Press, 2018.·        See General Sources page on website

On this episode, Steve and Cody conclude their discussion on the Thomas Jefferson, the Sage of Monticello, and tackle the controversies surrounding his legacy.Sources·        Crawford, Alan Pell. Twilight at Monticello: The Final Years of Thomas Jefferson. New York City, NY: Random House, 2008.·        Ellis, Joseph J. American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson. New York City, NY: Randon House, 1996.·        Gordon-Reed, Annette. The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family. New York City, NY: W.W. Norton & Co., 2008.·        Maier, Pauline. American Scripture: Making the Declaration of Independence. New York City, NY: Knopf, 1997.·        Meacham, Jon. Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power. New York City, NY: Randon House, 2012.·        See the webpage for a list of general sourcesPodcast to recommend: The Copperhead Conspiracy (The Copperhead Conspiracy – Reckoning, Inc.)

On the first installment of this two-parter, Cody and Steve discuss one of the giants of the Revolution, Thomas Jefferson, and go off on too many tangents to count.Sources·        Crawford, Alan Pell. Twilight at Monticello: The Final Years of Thomas Jefferson. New York City, NY: Random House, 2008.·        Ellis, Joseph J. American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson. New York City, NY: Randon House, 1996.·        Gordon-Reed, Annette. The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family. New York City, NY: W.W. Norton & Co., 2008.·        Maier, Pauline. American Scripture: Making the Declaration of Independence. New York City, NY: Knopf, 1997.·        Meacham, Jon. Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power. New York City, NY: Randon House, 2012.·        See the webpage for a list of general sources

On this episode, Cody and Steve discuss the founder to whom all other Chief Justices are measured, John Marshall.Sources·        Currie, David. The Constitution in the Supreme Court: The First Hundred Years, 1789-1888. Chicago, IL: U. of Chicago Press, 1992.·        Hobson, Charles F. The Great Chief Justice: John Marshall and the Rule of Law. Abilene, KS: U. Press of Kansas, 1996.·        Newmyer, R. Kent. John Marshall and the Heroic Age of the Supreme Court. Baton Rouge, LA: Louisiana State U. Press, 2001.·        Stites, Francis N. John Marshall: Defender of the Constitution. Boston, MA: Little & Brown, 1981.·        See General Sources page on the website to see the complete list of general sources

On this week's episode, Cody and Steve discuss the ambassador/Chief Justice/governor multitasker, John Jay.Sources·        Bemis, Samuel Flagg. Jay’s Treaty: A Study in Commerce and Diplomacy. New Haven, CT: Yale U. Press, 1923.·        Bemis, Samuel Flagg & Ferrell, Robert H. The American Secretaries of State and Their Diplomacy. New York City, NY: Cooper Square, 1963.·        Littlefield, Daniel C. “John Jay, the Revolutionary Generation, and Slavery.” New York History 81, vol. 1 (2000), pp. 91-132. <http://www.jstor.org/stable/23181809>. Retrieved 6 Jan 2026.·        Magnet, Myron. “The Education of John Jay.” City Journal 20, no. 1 (2010). <http://www.city-journal.org/2010/20_1_urb-john-jay.html>. Retrieved 6 Jan 2026.·        Stahr, Walter. John Jay: Founding Father. New York City, NY: Hambledon & London, 2005.·        See General Sources page on webpage for general sources used

On this special episode, Cody and Steve go back through with updated information and re-score the subjects that need it.