Collins, John, 1717-1795

John Collins (June 8, 1717 – March 4, 1795), was the third governor of the U.S. state of Rhode Island from 1786 to 1790. He was the last Independent to serve as governor of Rhode Island until Lincoln Chafee (2011–2015). He signed the Articles of Confederation and is thus considered one of the Founding Fathers of the United States.

Born in Newport in the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, he studied law and became an advocate of considerable reputation. In 1778, Collins represented Rhode Island in the Second Continental Congress, where he served until May 1781, when he was superseded by William Ellery. He was, however, re-elected in 1782 and held the position until 1783. In 1786, Collins was elected as the third Governor of Rhode Island.

When George Washington was inaugurated as President of the United States on April 30, 1789, Rhode Island was one of only two of the thirteen original states (along with North Carolina) not to have ratified the United States Constitution and was, technically speaking, an independent nation with Collins as it chief of state. Anti-Federalist elements in Rhode Island vigorously fought against the calling of a convention to decide upon entering the Federal Union, but on January 17, 1790, gave its sanction to such a call by a majority of one vote in the General Assembly. This vote was cast by Collins, who had come to realize the importance of a Federal connection. The vote cost him his popularity and the governorship. He left office on May 5, 1790. The Rhode Island General Assembly ratified the United States Constitution on May 29. Later in 1790, Collins was elected to the 1st Congress but did not take his seat.

Collins died in Newport, Rhode Island and was buried on his farm, "Brenton Neck", near Brenton Point in that city.