Richard Stockton: Myth and Reality

Was Richard Stockton a patriot or traitor? Join Morven’s curators, Elizabeth Allan and Jesse Gordon Simons, as they dive into his disputed past, sharing new research and perspectives uncovered during the making of the museum’s 250th anniversary exhibition Five Independent Souls: The Signers from New Jersey. They will be joined in conversation with educator and writer John Baxter, author of the new book, Richard Stockton: Character Under Fire.

Stockton presents perhaps one of the most contested legacies of Declaration of Independence signers. A lawyer, an enslaver, a legislator, a prisoner of war, and an oft-cited “traitor” to the Patriot cause, his story allows us to wrestle with many complicated layers of life in colonial and revolutionary America.

This is a hybrid program offering in-person and virtual registration. In-person tickets include discounted, after-hours admission to Five Independent Souls: The Signers from New Jersey from 5-6 pm prior to the talk. 

The event is sponsored by Princeton Federal Credit Union. 

Image: Richard Stockton, (1730–1781), late 19th century to early 20th century. Unknown Artist, after John Wollaston (1710–1775). Morven Collection.