Author ORCID Identifier
https://orcid.org/0009-0003-1389-3530
Defense Date
2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
History
First Advisor
Ryan K. Smith
Second Advisor
Emilie E. Raymond
Third Advisor
Joshua Eckhardt
Abstract
This research examines the multifaceted life of Colonel John Banister (1734–1788) during the eighteenth century. Using a biographical methodology, the study highlights his significance as an American founder from Virginia. It provides a chronological account of his accomplishments and a detailed analysis of his complex character as a politician, slave owner, and public figure of cultural importance. The research draws on primary sources such as letters and official records, as well as secondary sources including biographies and historiographies that have received limited attention. The thesis argues that Banister’s role as a Revolutionary leader and American founder is underrepresented in current interpretations of the War for Independence. By tracing the life and career of this individual, the study demonstrates that his impact on the founding of the country was greater than is commonly recognized in modern scholarship. Finally, it evaluates his legacy, including the interpretation of his contributions at his Battersea home today.
Rights
© The Author, Davis C. Simmons
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
12-11-2025