One suspects the name of William Bradford is either not known at all or, if known, not well known by Americans.

As someone who grew up in Massachusetts, Bradford’s story was taught to kids in public schools like mine. As time progresses, a more adult understanding of Bradford is had and appreciated.
For those who came in late, Bradford was, of course, an Englishman. In his case, from Yorkshire, located in northern England. Bradford’s story begins in earnest with the religious persecution of his countrymen by the establishment church — the Church of England — and King James I.  As with his friends and colleagues, Bradford’s first step in seeking religious freedom was to flee England for Leiden, Holland.
From there he was aboard the good ship Mayflower, the ship that famously took him and his fellow Pilgrims (as they came to be called), to the New World, specifically Plymouth, Massachusetts. He signed the Mayflower Compact, which set out the very first governing laws for the new Plymouth Colony. The Compact was handwritten by Bradford and, unbelievably, is still around. The original Bradford-written document is locked safely in a vault at the State Library of Massachusetts.
As America prepares to celebrate Thanksgiving, the Compact is worth reading in its brief entirety. It states:
IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN. We, whose names are underwritten, the Loyal Subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord King James, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c. Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith, and the Honour of our King and Country, a Voyage to plant the first Colony in the northern Parts of Virginia; Do by these Presents, solemnly and mutually, in the Presence of God and one another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil Body Politick, for our better Ordering and Preservation, and Furtherance of the Ends aforesaid: And by Virtue hereof do enact, constitute, and frame, such ...