Who is credited with the phrase, "We shall be as a city upon a hill"?

The phrase "We shall be as a city upon a hill" is attributed to John Winthrop, who was a key figure in the early Puritan settlement of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. This expression was part of a sermon given by Winthrop aboard the Arbella in 1630, where he articulated his vision for the new colony as a model of Christian charity and moral righteousness. He believed that the community would serve as an example for others, embodying the values of a society rooted in shared moral responsibility and communal support.

Winthrop’s use of this metaphor captures the aspiration of the Puritans to create a society that stood apart from the rest of the world—a "shining city" that would reflect their ideals and attract others by its example. This phrase has since become emblematic in American history and culture, often invoked to express ideals of American exceptionalism.

The other figures listed—Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and George Washington—had significant contributions to American history, but they did not use this particular phrase or articulate the same vision as Winthrop in the context of establishing a new community.