Omar Bennett
James McClurg was an American physician, politician, and Founding Father from Virginia. He was born in 1746 in the Hampton, Virginia area and attended the College of William and Mary, where he later served as a professor. He received his medical degree from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland in 1770 and also studied in London and Paris. McClurg served as a surgeon in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War and was a delegate to the Philadelphia Convention in 1787, which drafted the United States Constitution. While at the convention, McClurg advocated for increased executive powers, including a life term for the president and federal veto authority over state laws. However, he left the convention in early August and did not sign the final draft of the Constitution. McClurg's political career continued after the convention, and he served on Virginia's Executive Council during George Washington's administration. He was also elected Mayor of Richmond for three terms, starting in 1797.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | James McClurg |
| Birth Year | 1746 |
| Birthplace | Virginia |
| Profession | Physician |
| Delegate to Philadelphia Convention | Yes |
| Signed the Constitution | No |
| Political Views | Advocated for increased executive powers, life tenure for the President, and federal veto authority over state laws |
| Political Service | Served on Virginia's Executive Council during Washington's administration, Richmond city councilman, Mayor of Richmond for three terms |
| Education | College of William and Mary, University of Edinburgh, London, Paris |
| Notable Achievements | Surgeon in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, Professor at the College of William and Mary |
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What You'll Learn
James McClurg's political career
James McClurg was an American physician and Founding Father who served as a delegate to the Philadelphia Convention, which drafted the United States Constitution in 1787. He was born in 1746 in the Hampton, Virginia area and attended the College of William and Mary for his formal education until 1762. He then studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh, receiving his degree in 1770. He also studied in London and Paris.
McClurg's political career began when he was selected as a delegate to the Philadelphia Convention, along with George Washington, George Mason, James Madison, Edmund Randolph, and George Wythe. At the convention, McClurg advocated for increased executive powers, including a life tenure for the President and federal veto authority over state laws. However, he left the convention in early August and did not return, believing that his "vote would only operate to produce a division, & so destroy the vote of the state". As a result, he did not sign the final draft of the Constitution when it was completed in September 1787.
Despite not signing the Constitution, McClurg continued to be involved in politics. During George Washington's administration, he served on Virginia's Executive Council. He also served as a Richmond city councilman for over a dozen years and was elected Mayor of Richmond for three terms, first in 1797. McClurg's friendship with Thomas Jefferson dated back to their school days, and he later became friends with James Madison as well.
In addition to his political career, McClurg was also a well-known physician. He served as the first Professor of Anatomy and Medicine at the College of William and Mary from 1779 to 1783. He was also a surgeon in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War and is believed to have owned slaves throughout his lifetime. McClurg achieved renown for his efforts to stop various epidemics, including the yellow fever outbreak in 1798.
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McClurg's advocacy for increased executive powers
James McClurg was an American physician and Founding Father who served as a delegate to the Philadelphia Convention, which drafted the United States Constitution in 1787. He was born in 1746 in Virginia, the state he later represented at the Philadelphia Convention. He pursued a career in medicine and politics.
McClurg advocated for increased executive powers while at the Philadelphia Convention. He argued for a life tenure for the President and championed greater independence of the executive from the legislative branch. McClurg believed that the federal government should be able to override state laws. He wanted the President to have the power to veto state laws.
McClurg's support for a robust executive branch reflects his belief in the importance of efficient and decisive governance. He trusted that a strong executive would be better equipped to tackle complex issues, manage emergencies, and promote stability and unity within the newly formed nation. McClurg's ideas about executive powers, however, were not universally shared by his contemporaries. Some delegates at the Philadelphia Convention expressed apprehension about the extent of the powers he proposed for the presidency. They feared that concentrating too much authority in the executive could potentially lead to abuses of power and undermine the principles of checks and balances in government.
Despite his strong advocacy for increased executive powers, McClurg did not sign the final draft of the Constitution. He left the convention in early August 1787 and returned to Virginia, concerned that his vote might create divisions within the state's delegation. His absence during the final stages of the Constitution's drafting and his decision not to sign the document reflect a complex interplay between his political convictions and his pragmatic concerns about representing Virginia's interests.
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McClurg's absence from the final signing
James McClurg was born in 1746 in the Hampton, Virginia area. He was a physician and Founding Father who served as a delegate to the Philadelphia Convention, which drafted the United States Constitution in 1787.
McClurg advocated for increased executive powers, including a life term for the president and federal veto authority over state laws. However, he left the convention in early August and did not return, citing concerns that his "vote would only operate to produce a division, & so destroy the vote of the state". As a result, he was absent from the final signing of the Constitution in September 1787.
McClurg's decision to leave the convention and not sign the Constitution may have been influenced by his medical career. He was a well-known physician in Virginia and had previously served as a surgeon in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. It is possible that he prioritized his medical duties over his political involvement.
Another factor to consider is that McClurg's political service did not end with the convention. He served on Virginia's Executive Council during George Washington's administration and was later elected Mayor of Richmond for three terms, starting in 1797. He also served as a professor at the College of William and Mary and maintained correspondence with notable figures such as Thomas Jefferson and George Wythe.
In conclusion, McClurg's absence from the final signing of the Constitution may have been due to a combination of factors, including his medical career, his desire to avoid creating division, and his ongoing political and academic involvement in other areas.
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McClurg's post-convention political involvement
James McClurg's involvement in politics continued after the Philadelphia Convention, despite his decision not to sign the Constitution. He served on Virginia's Executive Council during George Washington's administration. McClurg also held several other political positions, including Richmond city councilman for over a dozen years and Mayor of Richmond for three terms, first elected in 1797. He was the 18th, 21st, and 24th mayor of Richmond, Virginia.
McClurg's political career began when he was selected as a delegate to the Philadelphia Convention in 1787, along with prominent figures such as George Washington and James Madison. He advocated for increased executive powers, including a life term for the president and federal veto authority over state laws. However, he left the convention in early August and did not return, citing concerns about his vote's potential impact on state unity.
After the convention, McClurg's political involvement became more focused on local politics. He served on Virginia's Executive Council and held various positions in Richmond's local government. McClurg's medical career also flourished during this period, and he gained renown for his efforts to combat epidemics, including the yellow fever outbreak in 1798.
In addition to his political and medical pursuits, McClurg maintained lifelong friendships with influential figures such as Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. He corresponded with them about career opportunities and expressed his interest in transitioning from medicine to politics. Despite his minimal involvement in national politics after the Philadelphia Convention, McClurg remained engaged in public service through his local government roles and contributions to the medical field.
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McClurg's friendship with Thomas Jefferson
James McClurg did not sign the Constitution. He left the convention in early August and did not return, worried that his vote would "only operate to produce a division, & so destroy the vote of the state".
James McClurg and Thomas Jefferson's friendship dated back to their school days at the College of William and Mary. They corresponded over the years, with McClurg writing to Jefferson on April 6, 1776, to request his support in securing a position as a physician for the Continental Army. Jefferson and others supported McClurg's nomination, but the Continental Congress ultimately gave the post to another man. Despite this setback, McClurg still worked for the military hospitals as a surgeon in Hampton. He also served as the surgeon general of Virginia state troops in 1777.
In 1779, McClurg was appointed as the first Chair of Anatomy and Medicine at the College of William and Mary, a position he held until he moved to Richmond in 1784. During this time, he continued to correspond with Jefferson and other well-known figures in Williamsburg, such as St. George Tucker and George Wythe.
McClurg went on to have a successful career in medicine and politics, serving as a delegate to the Philadelphia Convention and later as Mayor of Richmond for three terms, starting in 1797. He achieved renown for his efforts to stop various epidemics, including the yellow fever outbreak in 1798.
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Frequently asked questions
No, James McClurg did not sign the US Constitution. He left the Philadelphia Convention in early August 1787 and did not return.
McClurg chose not to return to the Philadelphia Convention because he believed his vote would only operate to produce a division, & so destroy the vote of the state. He also wanted the Constitution to include a life term for the president and federal veto authority over state laws.
James McClurg was a delegate to the Philadelphia Convention and was involved in crafting the US Constitution. He advocated for increased executive powers, including a life tenure for the President and the ability of the federal government to override state laws.
