Eleanor Finch
The Founding Fathers of the United States are those who signed the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution of the United States. While 55 delegates attended the Constitutional Convention, only 39 signed the Constitution. Some sources regard all 55 delegates as Founding Fathers, including those who did not sign. George Washington, John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison are typically counted as Founding Fathers, but none of them signed the Declaration of Independence. Roger Sherman, Benjamin Franklin, and Robert Morris are the only men to have signed all three documents.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of individuals appointed to the Constitutional Convention | 70 |
| Number of delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention | 55 |
| Number of delegates who signed the Constitution | 39 |
| Number of delegates who did not sign the document | 16 |
| Age range of the delegates | 26-81 |
| Number of Founding Fathers who signed the Declaration of Independence | 4 |
| Number of Founding Fathers who did not sign the Declaration of Independence | 4 |
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What You'll Learn
Only 39 of the 55 delegates signed the Constitution
The Founding Fathers of the United States include those who wrote and signed the United States Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution of the United States. Signers of these three key documents are generally considered to be Founding Fathers of the United States. However, some historians regard all 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention as Founding Fathers, whether they approved the Constitution or not.
On September 17, 1787, 38 delegates signed the Constitution, with George Reed signing for John Dickinson of Delaware, who was absent, bringing the total number of signatures to 39. The delegates ranged in age from 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton to 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin, who was so infirm that he had to be carried to sessions in a sedan chair. The Constitutional Convention assembled in Philadelphia in May 1787, and the delegates were tasked with revising the existing government. However, they came up with a completely new one, creating a powerful central government while remaining wary of centralized power and loyal to their states. They crafted compromises to represent their wildly different interests and views.
The Founding Fathers are also known for their efforts to contain slavery. While slaves and slavery are mentioned indirectly in the 1787 Constitution, the Founding Fathers made some attempts to address the issue. For example, Article 1, Section 2, Clause 3 prescribes that "three-fifths of all other Persons" are to be counted for the apportionment of seats in the House of Representatives and direct taxes. In addition, in Article 4, Section 2, Clause 3, slaves are referred to as "persons held in service or labor."
It is worth noting that the list of Founding Fathers is often expanded beyond those who signed the Declaration of Independence and approved the Constitution. Some scholars include individuals who later became prominent writers, orators, and other men and women who contributed to the cause of the American Revolution.
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Some founding fathers didn't sign the Declaration of Independence
The Founding Fathers of the United States include those who wrote and signed the United States Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution of the United States. Some Founding Fathers are also considered to be those who took part in the Revolutionary War, as well as those who were involved in the developments leading up to the war, including writers and orators.
While the Founding Fathers are typically associated with the signing of the Declaration of Independence, it is worth noting that not all of them signed the document. George Washington, John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison, for instance, are counted as Founding Fathers, but none of them signed the Declaration of Independence. In 1776, when the Declaration of Independence was being drafted, approved, and signed, Alexander Hamilton was only 19 years old and was with the Continental Army in New York City. Similarly, James Madison, who was 25 at the time, was a member of the Virginia state legislature.
Additionally, some sources regard all framers of the Constitution as Founding Fathers, even those who did not sign the document. Of the 55 delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention, 16 did not sign the Constitution. Three refused, while the rest left early, either in protest or for personal reasons.
It is important to note that the concept of the Founding Fathers has evolved over time. Initially, they were viewed as demigods who created the modern nation-state. However, in more recent times, they are recognized as individuals who were unable to adequately address certain issues, such as slavery and the debt owed after the American Revolutionary War.
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Signers of three key documents are considered founding fathers
The Founding Fathers of the United States are generally considered to be the individuals who signed three key documents: the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the U.S. Constitution. These documents are seen as foundational to the country's philosophy and government.
On September 17, 1787, 38 delegates signed the U.S. Constitution, with George Reed signing on behalf of John Dickinson of Delaware, bringing the total to 39 signatures. The Constitutional Convention, which took place in Philadelphia in May 1787, was attended by 55 delegates, referred to as framers. Of these, 16 did not sign, with three refusing and the rest leaving early, either in protest or for personal reasons. Despite this, some sources consider all framers to be Founding Fathers, regardless of whether they signed the document or not.
The Founding Fathers also include those who wrote and signed the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation, as well as certain military personnel who fought in the American Revolutionary War, and others who played a significant role in the nation's formation. Some historians also include signers of the Continental Association, which was the nation's first constitution adopted in 1781.
It is worth noting that the term "Founding Fathers" has evolved over time. Initially, they were viewed as demigods who created the modern nation-state. However, in more recent times, this perspective has shifted to acknowledge their shortcomings, such as their failure to adequately address issues like slavery and the debt owed after the American Revolutionary War.
While the Founding Fathers are typically associated with the creation of the United States government, it is important to recognize that not all of them signed the Constitution. The Founding Fathers encompass a broader group of individuals who contributed to the country's founding through various means, including writing, military service, and participation in significant events leading up to the Revolutionary War.
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Some founding fathers signed all four major founding documents
The Founding Fathers of the United States include those who wrote and signed the United States Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution of the United States. The list of Founding Fathers is often expanded to include signers of the Declaration of Independence and individuals who later approved the U.S. Constitution. Some scholars regard all delegates to the Constitutional Convention as Founding Fathers, whether they approved the Constitution or not.
On September 17, 1787, 38 delegates signed the Constitution, with George Reed signing on behalf of John Dickinson of Delaware, bringing the total number of signatures to 39. Roger Sherman was the only Founding Father to sign all four of the major founding documents: the Continental Association, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the U.S. Constitution.
Many of the Founding Fathers were young when they helped create the country. George Washington was 43 when he accepted command of the American Army during the war. Thomas Jefferson was 33 when he wrote the Declaration of Independence. John Adams was 40 when he argued for American independence. James Madison was 36 at the Constitutional Convention. John Jay was 43 when he became the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Alexander Hamilton was 33 when he was made Secretary of the Treasury. Benjamin Franklin, the oldest, was 70 at the Second Continental Congress.
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Some sources regard all framers as founding fathers
The Founding Fathers of the United States are generally considered to be the men who signed the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the US Constitution. These documents have been credited with securing the rights of the American people and are considered instrumental to the founding and philosophy of the United States.
However, some sources regard all framers or delegates to the Constitutional Convention as Founding Fathers, even if they did not sign the documents. This is because they were involved in the process of drafting and revising these foundational texts, and contributed to the formation of the nation.
The Constitutional Convention, which took place in Philadelphia in 1787, was attended by 55 delegates, who are referred to as framers. Of these, 16 did not sign the Constitution. Three refused, while the rest left early, either in protest or for personal reasons.
Some historians also include signers of the Articles of Confederation, which was America's first constitution, as Founding Fathers. This document was adopted in 1781 and gave the Confederation Congress the power to make rules and request funds from the states, but it lacked enforcement powers and could not regulate commerce or print money. The concerns about the limitations of this document led to the Constitutional Convention and the creation of the US Constitution.
In addition, some scholars have expanded the list of Founding Fathers to include individuals who contributed to the nation's formation in other ways, such as military leaders during the Revolutionary War, prominent writers, orators, and other men and women who were involved in the developments leading up to the war.
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Frequently asked questions
No, only 39 of the 55 delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention signed the Constitution.
38 delegates signed the Constitution, with George Reed signing on behalf of John Dickinson of Delaware, bringing the total to 39 signatures.
The Founding Fathers include those who wrote and signed the United States Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution of the United States. The list of Founding Fathers is often expanded to include individuals who later approved the U.S. Constitution and those who fought in the American Revolutionary War.
Notable Founding Fathers who did not sign the Declaration of Independence include George Washington, John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison.
Roger Sherman is the only Founding Father known to have signed all four major founding documents: the Continental Association, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the U.S. Constitution.
