Ira Allen

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Ira Allen (April 21, 1751—January 7, 1814) was one of the founders of Vermont and leaders of the Green Mountain Boys; he was born in Cornwall, Connecticut and was the brother of Ethan Allen. He was a member of the Vermont Legislature in 1776—77. Allen designed the Great Seal of Vermont and the seal of the University of Vermont.

In 1780 he presented to the Legislature a memorial for the establishment of the University of Vermont. He contributed money and a fifty-acre (20 ha) site at Burlington. He was called the "Metternich of Vermont" and the "Father of the University of Vermont."

He went to France in 1795 and bought 20,000 muskets and 24 cannon, intending to sell them to Vermont. He was captured at sea, taken to England, and placed on trial on a charge of furnishing arms to Irish rebels. He was acquitted after a lawsuit which lasted eight years.

He published books:

• The Natural and Political History of Vermont, (London, 1798)
• Statements Appended to the Olive Branch, (1807)

Vermont Historical Society Collections, (Montpelier, 1870) contains information about him.