
Thomas Willing: The Revolution’s Forgotten Financier
From The American Idea by Ashbrook Center
March 11, 2026 · 37 min · Season 6 · Episode 10
About this episode
The episode discusses Thomas Willing's crucial but overlooked role in financing the American Revolution with guest Richard Vague.
When we think of the American Revolution, we usually consider the ideas and animated the patriots and those leaders who organized and directed the war. Largely forgotten in all of this is a simple question: how was it all financed? And who did it? Thomas Willing, one of the most prominent merchants of the Middle Colonies, was at the forefront of solving the logistical and financial problems that plagued the American cause from the outset. Why, then, is he overlooked in all mainstream histories? Jeff meets with author Richard Vague to discuss Willing’s place in American Founding. You can get his book about Willing here: https://a.co/d/05py4B72 Host: Jeff Sikkenga Executive Producer: Jeremy Gypton Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/theamericanidea Homepage: https://ashbrook.org/the-american-idea-podcast/
People in this episode
Host: Jeff Sikkenga
Guest: Richard Vague
Topics covered
- American Revolution
- financing
- historical figures
- logistics
- founding fathers
Keywords
- Thomas Willing
- American Revolution
- financier
- Richard Vague
- history
- founding fathers
- Middle Colonies
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Ashbrook Center
Books & works: Thomas Willing: The Revolution’s Forgotten Financier
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