John Marshall

I have recently finished reading John Marshall: Definer of a Nation. This was the 19 book on the Revolutionary War that I have read. I would rank Marshall’s impact behind only Washington, Hamilton, Jefferson and Franklin. I would argue that Marshall impact as a Founding Father of the Revolutionary War Era is greater than President Adams, Madison and Monroe. In terms of greatness (not impact) I would rank Marshall behind Washington, Hamilton and Franklin and ahead of Jefferson. After the revolutionary war individuals such as Washington, Hamilton, Madison, Jefferson and the two political parties (Republicans and Federalists) all had different views of the power of the new Federal government and the form of government, however, it was Marshall that defined the nation and the rules of the government (just like the title of the book title implies).

How does greatness differ from impact?

#2 --

Excellent question. Marshall had seminal impact; but he wasn't a Framer of the Constitution which he was applying. And it is paramount and central to note, as does kgrosselin, that the Founders/Framers were not of a monolithic, unanimous view on much of anything.