Robert R. Livingston: Founding Father, Diplomat, and a Passport
Early Life and Education Livingston Founding Father Passport
Robert R. Livingston was born on November 27, 1746, into a distinguished New York family. His father served as a justice on the colonial Supreme Court, and his family was deeply involved in politics. Livingston attended King’s College (now Columbia University), graduating in 1765. He studied law under prominent figures, including William Smith and his relative William Livingston, the future governor of New Jersey. In 1773, he was admitted to the bar and briefly partnered with John Jay in legal practice.
A Drafter of the Declaration of Independence
Livingston played a crucial role in the founding of the United States. In 1776, the Continental Congress appointed him as one of the five members of the Committee of Five, tasked with drafting the Declaration of Independence. Alongside Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Roger Sherman, Livingston contributed to the document that would formally sever the American colonies from Britain. Although he was recalled to New York before he could sign the final version, his contributions were significant in shaping the foundational principles of the new nation. Livingston Founding Father Passport