FreeCol:Colopedia.foundingFather.description/en

The Founding Fathers (and Mothers) are a group of famous merchants, explorers, soldiers, statesmen and clerics which grant you special abilities as soon as they are elected to the Continental Congress. In order to elect a Founding Father, you must generate a certain number of Liberty Bells, which is increased after each election.

All Founding Fathers are available for the entire duration of the game, although the probability for their nomination varies over time. All Founding Fathers are available to all European nations, even if they have already been elected by another nation.