A study of the lives of Christopher Gadsden (1724-1805) and Henry Laurens (1724-1792) is much more than a look at the contributions of two important, though largely neglected, heroes of the Revolution. Indeed, in these two lives, one can trace the development of the Revolution in South Carolina. Either Gadsden or Laurens, sometimes both, figured prominently in every major development in South Carolina between 1760 and 1783.

Born within weeks of each other in colonial Charleston, Christopher Gadsden and Henry Laurens shared similar social and economic backgrounds and became close friends. This friendship deepened during the 1750s, as the two young men pursued similar social and intellectual interests and rose into the Charleston mercantile elite. In the early 1760s, however, this friendship was shaken by several serious local issues, which, coincidentally, marked the birth of the revolutionary movement in South Carolina. As the relationship between Great Britain and the colonies deteriorated during the 1760s and 1770s, so, too, did that between Gadsden and Laurens. In the dispute with Britain, Gadsden became the leader of radical opposition to British policy, while Laurens was prominent among the moderates in South Carolina. Clearly the socio-economic model has limits in explaining the stances of American leaders in the controversy with Britain. This is particularly true in South Carolina, as these two cases demonstrate that personal experiences and conceptions of empire must be considered as well. These two factors were the critical elements in the emergence of Gadsden as a leading radical force and Laurens as the voice of moderation. It is the purpose of this study to show, through the lives and careers of these two men, exactly how, and why, this was the case.

"Drawing extensively upon Gadsden's writings and letters, Christopher Gadsden and the American Revolution ... recreates the ... life of South Carolina's foremost patriot during the American Revolution and illuminates further that major episode in American history. The book contains all the known details of Gadsden's personal life as well as a thorough analysis of his political and military careers"--Jacket.

Letters and writings of Christopher Gadsden, an American Revolutionary leader. Born in Charleston, S.C., educated in England, later returned to Charleston (1746) and became a wealthy merchant. At the Stamp Act Congress (1765) he was one of the first to urge colonial union against England's policy of taxation. Gadsden served (1774-76) in the Continental Congress and favored independence. In the struggle over the South Carolina constitution in 1778 he was a radical, favoring separation of church and state and popular election of senators. He was captured when the British took Charleston (1780), and imprisonment by the British broke his health. He later helped to secure ratification of the Constitution and still later opposed the Jeffersonians. -- Columbia Enc.