Jonah Patel
The Constitution was signed by 39 delegates on September 17, 1787. Of the 55 framers of the Constitution, 32 were lawyers. Three lawyer-founders co-authored the Constitution: Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison, who earned the title Father of the Constitution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total number of framers of the Constitution | 55 |
| Number of lawyers among the framers | 32 |
| Number of framers who signed the Constitution | 39 |
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What You'll Learn
39 delegates signed the Constitution
The original states, except Rhode Island, collectively appointed 70 individuals to the Constitutional Convention. However, several of these individuals did not accept or were unable to attend, including Richard Henry Lee, Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock. In total, 55 delegates attended the Constitutional Convention sessions, but only 39 actually signed the Constitution.
The 39 delegates who signed the Constitution on September 17, 1787, represented the following states: Chas. Cotesworth Pinckney of South Carolina and Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer of Maryland, among others. The delegates ranged in age from Jonathan Dayton, aged 26, to Benjamin Franklin, aged 81, who was so ill that he had to be carried to the sessions in a sedan chair.
Of the 55 framers of the Constitution, 32 were lawyers. This means that approximately 58% of the framers of the Constitution were lawyers, and it is likely that a significant proportion of the 39 delegates who signed the document were also lawyers.
The high proportion of lawyers among the framers and signers of the Constitution highlights the important role that legal professionals played in the founding of the United States and the creation of its governing documents. These individuals brought their legal expertise and knowledge to bear in shaping the country's laws and political system.
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55 framers of the Constitution attended
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, by 39 delegates out of the 55 framers who attended the Constitutional Convention sessions. The original thirteen states collectively appointed 70 individuals to the convention, but several did not accept or could not attend. The delegates who did attend 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.
Of the 55 framers of the Constitution who attended the convention, 32 were lawyers. Three lawyer-founders co-authored the Constitution: Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison, who earned the title "Father of the Constitution" for his leadership and work as the principal draftsman.
The Constitutional Convention met to sign the document they had created to replace the Articles of Confederation. Some framers left as the convention progressed, while others refused to sign in protest.
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32 of the 55 framers were lawyers
The Constitution of the United States is a foundational legal document that has been signed by 39 delegates out of 55 framers. Interestingly, 32 of these framers were lawyers, highlighting the influence of legal professionals in shaping the nation's early history.
The Constitutional Convention, which took place in 1787, was a pivotal moment in the establishment of the United States as an independent nation. The 55 framers who attended the convention played a significant role in drafting and shaping the content of the Constitution, even if not all of them ultimately signed the document. The presence of so many lawyers among the framers is indicative of the importance placed on legal expertise and principles during this formative period in American history.
The lawyers among the framers brought with them a wealth of knowledge and experience in interpreting and applying the law. This legal expertise was crucial in drafting a document that would serve as the supreme law of the land, outlining the rights and responsibilities of the government and the people. The influence of legal professionals extended beyond the mere act of signing the document. Many of them actively participated in the debates, discussions, and compromises that shaped the final content of the Constitution.
The legal background of the framers is also noteworthy because it reflects the educational and professional backgrounds that were valued during this era. Legal education provided individuals with a strong foundation in critical thinking, argumentation, and a nuanced understanding of governance. This made lawyers well-suited to the task of crafting a governing document that would balance the powers of the federal government while protecting the rights and liberties of the citizenry. James Madison, for instance, was a lawyer-founder who earned the title “Father of the Constitution” for his leadership and role as the principal draftsman.
In conclusion, the fact that 32 of the 55 framers of the Constitution were lawyers underscores the significant role that legal professionals played in the founding of the United States. Their expertise, influence, and commitment to the rule of law helped shape the nation's governing principles and set a precedent for the importance of legal scholarship in American political and social life.
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3 lawyer-founders co-authored the Constitution
The United States Constitution was signed by 39 of the 55 framers who attended the Constitutional Convention sessions. Of these 55 framers, 32 were lawyers.
Three lawyer-founders, James Madison Jr., Alexander Hamilton, and James Wilson, co-authored the Constitution. Madison earned the symbolic title "Father of the Constitution" for his superb leadership at the Constitutional Convention and as its principal draftsman. Before the Constitutional Convention, Madison and John Tyler proposed that the Continental Congress be empowered to regulate commerce throughout the Confederation. Madison and Hamilton, a lawyer from New York, then issued a report calling on Congress to summon delegates from all states to revise the Articles of Confederation.
James Wilson of Pennsylvania was a Scotsman with a penchant for ill-advised land-jobbing schemes. He brought a profound mind steeped in constitutional theory and law to the convention. Wilson's schemes would later in life force him to flee from state to state to avoid prosecution for debt.
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The youngest signer was 26, the oldest 81
The signing of the United States Constitution was a historic event, with 39 individuals putting their names to the document. Of these, 32 were lawyers. The ages of the signers varied widely, with the youngest being just 26 and the oldest 81. Jonathan Dayton was the youngest person to sign the Constitution. At 26, he was already a delegate, appointed by New Jersey, and would go on to become a US Representative and then Senator. Benjamin Franklin, at 81, was the oldest signer of the Constitution. Franklin was so infirm that he had to be carried to the sessions in a sedan chair. Despite his age and frailty, he played a crucial role in the process, delivering an address strongly endorsing the Constitution. Franklin's words were so powerful that they helped gain the support of critics and created a sense of common accord.
The wide range of ages among the signers of the Constitution reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences that contributed to the founding of the United States. While some, like Dayton, were young and likely brought energy and fresh perspectives, others, like Franklin, brought wisdom and a wealth of experience. Despite their differences, these men came together to create a document that has endured and formed the foundation of American democracy.
The process of drafting and signing the Constitution was a complex and challenging endeavour. The original states, except Rhode Island, collectively appointed 70 individuals to the Constitutional Convention. However, several delegates could not or chose not to attend, and only 55 delegates attended the sessions. Of these, 39 ultimately signed the document. The fact that some delegates did not sign the Constitution underscores the significance of those who did, like Dayton and Franklin, who represented the youngest and oldest among this group of founding fathers.
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Frequently asked questions
Of the 55 framers of the Constitution, 32 were lawyers. However, only 39 of the 55 framers actually signed the Constitution.
Some of the lawyers who signed the Constitution include Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, and William Williams from Connecticut.
Yes, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison co-authored the US Constitution. James Madison also earned the title "Father of the Constitution" for his leadership and role as the principal draftsman.
The original states, except Rhode Island, appointed 70 individuals to the Constitutional Convention.
55 people attended the Constitutional Convention, but only 39 signed the document.
