Who co-designed the Great Seal of the United States and selected its Latin mottos?

Charles Thomson co-designed the Great Seal of the United States and selected its Latin mottos.

Thomson served as secretary of the Continental Congress from 1774 until 1789, making him the only person to hold that position throughout the body’s entire existence. He was responsible for recording congressional proceedings and managing official documents during the Revolution and the Confederation period.

In 1782, Thomson prepared the final design for the Great Seal with artist William Barton. Thomson supplied the explanations and Latin mottos associated with the seal: Annuit cœptis appears above the pyramid, while Novus ordo seclorum appears below it. The eagle and shield appear on the obverse.

Thomson also remained custodian of the seal during the transition to the government created by the Constitution. He surrendered it and his official papers in July 1789, after the new Congress appointed its own clerks and secretaries. He is sometimes confused with Franklin, Jefferson, and Adams, who served on earlier seal committees.