Supreme Executive Council of The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania - Presidents of Council

Presidents of Council

Seven men served as President of the Supreme Executive Council. (One, George Bryan, was never elected to the position, but today is considered by the Commonwealth to have been a full-fledged governor of Pennsylvania, perhaps due to the length of his term as Acting President.) Several figure prominently in the history of Pennsylvania, but none more so than Dr. Benjamin Franklin. His presidency was one of his last acts of public service, and he died less than two years after leaving office. Franklin was also the longest serving President, having held the office for slightly over three years. There is some question about the de facto end of his term, suggesting that the aging Franklin was not actively involved in affairs of state toward the end of his presidency. (This is certainly not a consensus view, as other sources report that all actions of the Council during his term had Franklin's approval, even if that meant convening the Council at Franklin's home.) The shortest term was that of George Bryan, who served as Acting President for just over six months. Although these men may be referred to properly as Presidents of Pennsylvania their office is analogous to the modern office of Governor, and they are often included in lists of those who have held the latter title. Presidents and Vice-Presidents were styled His Excellency.