George Bryan

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George Bryan (1731–1791) was an Irish-born American businessman, politician, and judge in Pennsylvania during the Revolutionary era. He served as the first vice-president of Pennsylvania (like a lieutenant governor) and, after the Declaration of Independence, as the second president (governor) of the state. He was an early abolitionist and sponsored the first bill to abolish slavery in Philadelphia. He later served on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

Born in Dublin, Ireland, Bryan moved to Philadelphia in 1752 to join his father’s business. He became a successful shopkeeper and trader. He married Elizabeth Smith in 1757, and they had ten children, including Samuel Bryan, a writer and Anti-Federalist.

Bryan joined the American opposition to British policies after the Stamp Act and helped sign the Non-Importation Agreement, which led to financial troubles and bankruptcy in 1771. He supported independence and the unicameral Pennsylvania government created by the 1776 constitution. He was elected the first vice-president of the Council on March 5, 1777, and began his term the next day.

When Governor Thomas Wharton died in May 1778, Bryan took on the duties of the presidency. He is generally recognized as Governor from May 23, 1778, to December 1, 1778, though some records call him Acting President. He lost the election for the presidency to Joseph Reed on December 1, 1778, but he kept the vice-presidency, winning most of the votes. He served as vice-president until October 11, 1779.

After leaving the executive council, Bryan was appointed a judge on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in 1780 and served there until his death in 1791. He also served in the Pennsylvania General Assembly. He supported the unicameral legislature and opposed the 1787 U.S. Constitution’s move to a bicameral Congress and a single executive.

Bryan was involved with the University of Pennsylvania, serving as a trustee and as treasurer from 1779 to 1788. He died in Philadelphia on January 27, 1791, and was buried in Laurel Hill Cemetery.