“In the era of the American Revolution, Elias Boudinot was friendly, generous, welcoming, a problem-solver, a man of faith, a person you’d enjoy getting to know.” ―Jonathan Den Hartog, Samford University You won’t find this American Founder on a coin or a Broadway musical. But Elias Boudinot (1740–1821) left an enduring mark on history. Hamilton’s mentor. Washington’s friend. President of the Continental Congress, Revolutionary War veteran, legislator, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and abolitionist. Boudinot shaped governments, schools, churches, and charities. Now, in the first biography dedicated to his life in 50 years, Ordinary Greatness invites readers to discover the compelling story of this Founder’s dedication to faith and liberty amid volatile times. Set in times of division and change not unlike our own, Ordinary Greatness guides readers from the Great Awakening to the early Republic. It explores Boudinot’s life alongside four of his close connections: George Whitefield, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, and Alexander Hamilton. It shows how Boudinot’s faith shaped his public and private roles and his convictions on government, slavery, and missions. And it offers a new generation fresh inspiration and courage to face our own challenges. From the Introduction “Elias Boudinot was born into, grew up in, and actively engaged with, a world of volatile change. Some of his contemporaries saw in this change the wanton destruction of the established order. Others saw the opportunity to build something new, though what a new order should look like was itself in debate. Boudinot was known as a lover of liberty and a patriot of passion and principle. But his deepest commitment was to the religious faith handed down to him across generations. Elias Boudinot stood at the crossroads of radical ideas of liberty and historic creeds of faith. The way he navigated that intersection makes his story worth knowing.” ―Andrew Farmer, Ordinary Greatness Who was Elias Boudinot? “Boudinot is of particular importance, because he was a born-again Presbyterian, whose evangelical views were probably closer to those of the majority of his countrymen than were those of most of his fellow Founders.” ―James H. Hutson, in The Founders on Religion (2005) • Child of the Great Awakening, baptized by George Whitefield • Next-door neighbor to Benjamin Franklin, Jonathan Edwards, and George Washington • Revolutionary War officer under Washington (and long-time member of Washington’s inner circle) • Spiritual and political mentor of Alexander Hamilton • President of the Continental Congress • Member of the First, Second, and Third US Congresses • Director of the US Mint • Trustee of the College of New Jersey (Princeton University) • Passionate abolitionist with the most consistent record against slavery among the Founders • Philanthropic entrepreneur for missional, social, and community causes • Founder of American Bible Society Discover more about Boudinot’s life and legacy in Ordinary Greatness. “In the era of the American Revolution, Elias Boudinot was friendly, generous, welcoming, a problem-solver, a man of faith, a person you’d enjoy getting to know. With conversational and fast-moving prose, Andrew Farmer introduces readers to this champion of both faith and liberty.” --Jonathan J. Den Hartog, Professor of History, Samford University; author of Patriotism and Piety: Federalist Politics and Religious Struggle in the New American Nation Andrew Farmer is a pastor at Covenant Fellowship Church in Glen Mills, PA. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from St. Andrews Presbyterian College and a master’s in biblical counseling from Westminster Theological Seminary. Andy is also the author of The Rich Single Life, Real Peace, and Trapped.