Which Founding Fathers Didn't Sign The Constitution?

The US Constitution, which outlines the framework for the nation's federal government and its three branches, was signed by 39 delegates. Of the 74 delegates chosen to attend the Constitutional Convention, 55 attended, with several leaving before the signing ceremony. Rhode Island did not send any delegates, and notable figures such as Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Patrick Henry did not attend. Four delegates from Virginia, including George Mason and Edmund Randolph, refused to sign due to their concerns about the absence of a Bill of Rights and the concentration of power in the executive office.

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Rhode Island did not send any delegates to the convention

The signing of the United States Constitution was a significant event in the country's history, with 74 individuals selected to attend the Constitutional Convention. However, Rhode Island notably did not send any delegates to this convention, making it the only state absent from the proceedings. This decision by Rhode Island reflected its opposition to a closer union with the other former British colonies and its desire to maintain its independence.

Rhode Island's absence from the Constitutional Convention was not an isolated incident. The state had a history of opposing amendments that might threaten its interests. In particular, Rhode Island was protective of its power to issue paper money, which had led to rampant inflation and made the state a symbol of the issues within the Confederation for many Americans. This issue of paper currency was a significant point of contention, with opponents calling for a new Constitution that would ban it.

The state's refusal to engage in the process earned it several deprecatory nicknames, including "Rogue Island," "the Perverse Sister," "an evil genius," and "the Quintessence of Villainy." Despite the negative perception of Rhode Island, it remained steadfast in its position, even as other states ratified the Constitution. It became known as the last state to ratify the Constitution, doing so on May 29, 1790, more than a year after it went into effect.

Rhode Island's eventual ratification of the Constitution was prompted by threats of a trade embargo by the United States. However, even in capitulation, the state included a lengthy list of caveats and proposed amendments, such as the abolition of the slave trade and a ban on poll taxes. This ratification occurred after nearly a dozen conventions in Rhode Island had failed to ratify, often by wide margins.

39 delegates signed the constitution

The US Constitution is one of the most remarkable achievements in human history. The document, which is fewer than 5,000 words long, has been rarely amended and continues to stand the test of time. The Constitution outlines the framework for the nation's federal government and describes how its three branches—the legislative, executive, and judicial—should function.

Of the 74 individuals selected to attend the Constitutional Convention, 55 attended the sessions. However, only 39 delegates signed the Constitution. The remaining delegates either left before the signing ceremony or refused to sign. The delegates who signed the Constitution represented a cross-section of 18th-century American leadership, with experience in local, colonial, or state government. Almost all of them had participated in the American Revolution, seven had signed the Declaration of Independence, and 30 had served in the military.

The delegates who signed the Constitution were grouped by state, with the states arranged geographically from north to south. The signatures were arranged in two columns, with George Washington, the president of the Convention, signing first near the right margin of the page. The youngest signer was 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton, while the oldest was 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin, who was so infirm that he had to be carried to the sessions in a sedan chair. Franklin summed up the sentiments of those who did sign, acknowledging that while there were parts of the Constitution he did not approve of at present, he could not be sure that he would never approve of them.

The signing of the Constitution was a significant moment in the history of the United States, and the document continues to serve as the foundation of the nation's government and legal system.

Four Virginia delegates did not sign

The signing of the United States Constitution is a remarkable achievement in human history. Of the 74 individuals selected to attend the Constitutional Convention, 55 attended the sessions, and 39 signed the Constitution. Four Virginia delegates did not sign the Constitution. James McClurg, a physician who advocated for a robust federal government, departed the Convention in August. George Wythe, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and a close friend and mentor to Thomas Jefferson, also left the proceedings prematurely.

George Mason and Edmund Randolph, on the other hand, were present but declined to sign. As the author of the Virginia Declaration of Rights, George Mason believed that a Bill of Rights was essential and refused to endorse the Constitution without its inclusion. Edmund Randolph argued that the Constitution was flawed and granted too much authority to the executive branch's sole occupant. Despite their initial objections, all four men eventually endorsed the ratification of the Constitution.

The delegates who signed the Constitution represented a diverse cross-section of 18th-century American leadership, with experience in local, colonial, and state governments. Virtually all of them had participated in the American Revolution; seven had signed the Declaration of Independence, and thirty had served in active military roles. The youngest signer was Jonathan Dayton, aged 26, while the oldest was Benjamin Franklin, aged 81, who was so infirm that he had to be carried to the sessions in a sedan chair.

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Benjamin Franklin was the oldest signer at 81

The oldest person to sign the United States Constitution was Benjamin Franklin, who was 81 years old at the time. Franklin, a writer, inventor, statesman, and political philosopher, was also the first signer to pass away, dying in April 1790. James Madison was the last signer to die, in June 1836.

Franklin was the fifteenth child of Josiah Franklin, a tallow chandler, soaper, and candlemaker, and his second wife, Abiah Folger. He was born in 1706 in Northamptonshire, England, and was the couple's tenth and final son.

Despite his advanced age, Franklin played an important role at the Constitutional Convention. On the final day of the convention, he delivered an address strongly endorsing the Constitution, despite its perceived imperfections. Franklin hoped to gain the support of critics and create a sense of common accord. He proposed that the delegates endorse the Constitution as individual witnesses of the unanimous consent of the states present, rather than on behalf of particular states. This proposal was accepted, and the signers subscribed their names as witnesses to what was done in the convention.

In addition to his role as a signer, Franklin also contributed to the concluding endorsement of the U.S. Constitution. This endorsement was made intentionally ambiguous to win over the votes of dissenting delegates. Franklin summed up the sentiments of those who did sign, stating:

> There are several parts of this Constitution which I do not at present approve, but I am not sure I shall never approve them. I expect no better, and I am not sure that it is not the best.

55 delegates attended the convention

The US Constitution, which outlines the framework for the nation's federal government and its three branches, is considered one of the most remarkable achievements in human history. The original states, except Rhode Island, selected 70 to 74 individuals to attend the Constitutional Convention. However, several of those chosen did not accept or were unable to attend, resulting in 55 delegates participating in the Constitutional Convention sessions.

Of the 55 delegates who attended, only 39 signed the Constitution. The remaining six attendees left before the signing ceremony, and three of the 42 who remained refused to sign. The delegates who signed the document ranged in age from 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton, the youngest, to 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin, the oldest. Franklin, who had to be carried to the sessions due to his infirmity, summed up the sentiments of those who did sign, acknowledging their imperfect approval of the Constitution but accepting it as the best option at the time.

The signatures on the Constitution are grouped by states, progressing geographically from north to south. The convention's secretary, William Jackson, added a note to authenticate and verify four amendments made by hand to the final document. He signed the note, although he was not a delegate himself. George Washington, as president of the Convention, signed first, followed by the other delegates.

The signing of the Constitution was a significant step in the formation of the United States, and the document has stood the test of time with few amendments. The delegates who signed it represented a cross-section of 18th-century American leadership, with experience in military, local, colonial, and state government.

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