Not long ago, while browsing YouTube for programs on the contributions of Italian Americans, I happened upon a couple of broadcasts that genuinely surprised me. They spoke about Filippo Mazzei, the Tuscan immigrant, intellectual, patriot, and close friend of Thomas Jefferson.
The presenters highlighted Mazzei’s influence on Jefferson’s political thought — noting that the iconic phrase “all men are created equal” came from Mazzei’s own writing.
“The great doctrine ‘All men are created equal’ was paraphrased from the writing of Philip Mazzei,” wrote John F. Kennedy in A Nation of Immigrants (1958).
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Mazzei To Jefferson
Learning this sent me down a path of deeper exploration. I soon discovered that Mazzei’s influence was not just obscure academic speculation — it has been publicly acknowledged at the highest levels.
Presidents Gerald Ford, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama each made statements crediting Mazzei’s contribution to Jefferson and to the spirit of American equality. Even Congress formally recognized Mazzei in a resolution noting that Jefferson’s phrase was based on the Italian patriot and immigrant Philip Mazzei.
Here was an immigrant — an Italian immigrant — whose ideas helped frame the rhetoric of liberty and civic responsibility at the founding of our nation.
“Thomas Jefferson was moved by the ideas of his friend Filippo Mazzei,” observed President Bill Clinton in 1996.
Ken Burns includes the contributions of Native Americans, women, African Americans, and, even Muslims—but not Italians—in his new documentary "The American Revolution."
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"Mazzei was never mentioned"
And yet, not long after these encouraging discoveries, I watched Ken Burns’ beautifully produced and widely acclaimed documentary series The American Revolution. I had always admired Burns for uncovering overlooked voices — which made what followed all the more disappointing: Filippo Mazzei was never mentioned.
For a storyteller renowned for his ability to resurrect forgotten Americans, this omission was striking. Mazzei’s friendship with Jefferson was real, his writings circulated in revolutionary circles, and his influence has been acknowledged by presidents and Congress — but not by Ken Burns.
That contrast — public recognition at the highest level versus silence in a major cultural retelling — was what motivated me to write this piece.
If presidents know his name, why not Ken Burns?
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Let's Save Mazzei's Legacy
If Mazzei’s legacy can disappear from mainstream narratives, then it is up to us—we Italian Americans—those who value our Italian heritage — to make sure it is not forgotten.
Mazzei deserves to be remembered not merely as Jefferson’s friend, but by all Americans, as a vital contributor to America’s founding vocabulary of equality. His story reminds us that the American experiment was shaped not only by native-born founders, but also by immigrants whose passion for liberty helped define it.
This article is my contribution toward ensuring that Filippo Mazzei’s name and accomplishments receive the recognition they deserve — and that his role in shaping America’s ideals is no longer left unsaid.
Editor’s Note: The writer is president of the Italian Cultural Society of Naples, Florida; web site - https://www.italianculturalsociety.com
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LETTER TO PBS - TEMPLATE
Subject: Italian American Figures Omitted from The American Revolution
Dear Ms. Kerger,
As a proud American, I appreciate the effort and scholarship behind PBS’ new documentary The American Revolution. The series brings essential perspectives to light.
However, I was surprised to see that two indispensable figures in the patriot cause — Filippo Mazzei and Francis Vigo — were not mentioned at all.
Mazzei’s writings on liberty and equality directly influenced Thomas Jefferson’s language in the Declaration of Independence. He also played a crucial diplomatic role in securing European support for the Revolution.
Francis Vigo, born Giuseppe Vigo, provided intelligence, financing, supplies, and credit to George Rogers Clark during the western campaign. His contributions were central to the American victory at Vincennes and the subsequent U.S. claim to the Midwest.
Both men were immigrants whose service to the cause was extraordinary. Their exclusion leaves viewers with an incomplete picture of the Revolution and its truly international character.
I respectfully urge PBS and Ken Burns production team to immediately address this oversight — through supplemental material, online resources, or future programming — or, better yet, a revised documentary that features the contributions of Mazzei and Vigo — so that audiences can learn the full scope of the individuals who helped build this nation.
Thank you for your attention.
Sincerely,
(Your Name)
Editor’s Note: The above draft is a letter Italian Americans can use as a template to complain to PBS. Paula A. Kerger is currently the president of PBS. Her email address is Paula.kerger@pbs.org.
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