Profile of the Day: John Trumbull

Do you have American Revolutionary War ancestors? On this day in 1756, artist John Trumbull was born. Trumbull is often referred to as “The Painter of the Revolution” for his iconic historical paintings and portraits.

Image: John Trumbull / Yale University Art Gallery, Wikimedia Commons

Trumbull was born in Lebanon in colonial Connecticut on June 6, 1756 to Jonathan Trumbull and Faith Robinson. His father served as the Governor of Connecticut Colony, and then after the American Revolutionary War, served as the Governor of the state of Connecticut. He is the only person to serve as governor in both an English colony and an American state.

During the American Revolution, Trumbull served as a personal aid to George Washington. He later went to London to study painting and began a series of historical paintings of the American Revolutionary War. He would go on to paint about 250 paintings during his lifetime.

Trumbull’s painting, Declaration of Independence, is perhaps his most famous piece. The image appears on the back of the U.S. two-dollar bill and is considered to be of the most recognizable pieces of American historical art today.

How are you related to John Trumbull? Explore his family tree and share your connection to the artist.

View John Trumbull’s Geni Profile