Caesar Rodney was born in 1728 on his father's farm near Dover, Delaware. Rodney entered politics through his guardianship under Nicholas Ridgely, a clerk of the peace in Kent County. He was appointed High Sheriff of Kent County at the age of 22 and subsequently held several other official capacities. He was elected to the colonial legislature at Newcastle when he was 30 and served as a representative until the legislature was dissolved in 1776. He resumed his seat in the Upper House of the State of Delaware until 1784. Rodney served as a member of the Stamp Act Congress in 1765, a formative member of the Delaware Committee of Correspondence, a military leader in the colonial militia, and a delegate to the Continental Congress. He was elected President of the State of Delaware in 1778 and played a crucial role in supporting the Continental Army. Rodney suffered from asthma and a cancerous growth on his face but continued to serve until his death in June of 1784 while holding the position of Speaker to the Upper House of the Delaware Assembly.
