Life and Times of Caesar Rodney Oct. 21 will mark Delaware patriot's birthday

Many Delawareans have heard of Caesar Rodney. He's the person riding the horse on the Delaware state quarter. But how many really know very much more about this rather elusive historical character?

The Lewes Historical Society's Friday, Oct. 21 program titled The Life and Times of Caesar Rodney will feature Humanities Forum performer Dick Pack portraying this famed Delaware icon and giving a firsthand narrative about the man and his role in making Delaware become the First State. The program begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Lewes Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, Kings Highway, Lewes.

Caesar Rodney, who was born Oct. 7, 1728, is most remembered for his famous journey to Philadelphia to cast the deciding vote for independence. He was an activist patriot in Delaware and held numerous positions in state government, including president (governor) of the state of Delaware, to which he was elected in 1778. Through a first-person portrayal in period costume, Dick Pack will take the audience back in time to reveal some little-known facts about the life of Delaware's native son.

Pack, an award-winning member of Clear Space Theatre Company, has performed locally and regionally on stage, film, television and radio for more than 25 years. He said that the Caesar Rodney role was something that he developed about a half dozen years ago. "The Chatauqua program had portrayers featuring Washington and Jefferson, but the program needed a local figure. The logical choice was Caesar Rodney, and the Humanities Forum director asked me if I would want to play the Caesar Rodney role. Unfortunately for me, there was no script or any substantive historical information to draw from to develop this character. So I began a search and eventually uncovered a publication that featured the the early writings of Caesar Rodney. The rest, as they say, is history."

The public is invited to attend this living history lesson, and Mr. Rodney will be available to answer questions about his life and times following his talk. Light refreshments will be served following the presentation.