founding father

noun

1. (often capitals) a person who founds or establishes an important institution, esp a member of the US Constitutional Convention (1787)

Example Sentences

“But our Texan founding fathers — like our American founding fathers — took prior restraints on political speech out of the tool kit when they enshrined the right to free speech in our Constitution.”

From Salon

The revenue growth that EPL has enjoyed in the three decades since is well beyond the wildest dreams of the league’s founding fathers.

From Los Angeles Times

The show’s cinematic release marks a major milestone: It’s been nearly 10 years since the off-Broadway premiere of “Hamilton,” which was based on the life of Alexander Hamilton, a founding father of the United States.

From Los Angeles Times

I think the founding fathers assumed that people would have more ambition and self-respect than any Republican in Congress has managed to muster so far.

From Salon

His brother loved Sabbath - but Mr Allen said he has only recently been catching up on the appeal of the founding fathers of heavy metal.

From BBC