Nathanael Greene — The greatest general of the American Revolution that most people don’t know much about.
Early Life
Nathaniel Greene was born on August 7, 1742, in Warwick, RI; his parents, Nathaniel Sr. and Mary Greene, were from a devout Quaker family who had helped establish the colony during the 1630s. While growing up, Nathanael had no formal education but was a very bright and intelligent young man. Green was an avid reader and spent a lot of his time collecting books and creating an extensive library; several books were on military strategy and leadership. In 1770 his father asked him to move to Coventry, Rhode Island, to oversee his grist mill and forge along the banks of the Pawtuxet river. The forge was a success and produced many of the anchors that were used in the nearby shipbuilding facilities. Green was very active in the affairs of the community of Coventry and even helped establish the first public school in the area. The reputation which he gained led to Greene becoming elected in 1770 to the Rhode Island General Assembly. He also helped to create a local militia unit known as the Kentish Guards in response to the tensions that were building between England and the colonies.
