Eleanor Finch
The United States Constitution was signed by 39 individuals, all of whom were delegates at the Constitutional Convention. Of the 55 delegates who attended the sessions, 16 did not sign the Constitution. The signers of the Constitution included George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Alexander Hamilton, who fought in the American Revolution and served in Congress. The educational backgrounds of the signers varied, with some, like Gouverneur Morris, receiving a formal college education, while others were educated by private tutors or apprenticeships.
| 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 |
| Age range of the delegates | 26-81 |
| Number of Founding Fathers who signed the Declaration of Independence | 56 |
| Number of Founding Fathers with ministry degrees from seminary or Bible college | 29 |
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What You'll Learn
- of the 56 Founding Fathers who signed the Declaration of Independence had attended college
- Signers of the Constitution included those with careers in law and politics
- Some signers of the Constitution had served in the military
- The average age of the delegates was 42, ranging from 26 to 81
- The College of Philadelphia, founded by Benjamin Franklin, was attended by 21 of the Founding Fathers
29 of the 56 Founding Fathers who signed the Declaration of Independence had attended college
The United States Constitution was signed by 39 individuals, out of 55 delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention sessions. However, the query concerns the Declaration of Independence, which was signed by 56 Founding Fathers, 29 of whom had attended college.
The Founding Fathers were a varied group, with diverse educational backgrounds. Some, like John Witherspoon, were educated at seminaries or Bible colleges, reflecting the founding purpose of certain educational institutions of the time. Witherspoon, for instance, was a Presbyterian minister who attended Edinburgh and St. Andrews. Other colleges attended by the Founding Fathers include the College of Philadelphia, Jesuits' College at St. Omar in France, and the College of William & Mary.
The College of Philadelphia, founded by Benjamin Franklin, has been interpreted differently in terms of its religious affiliation. While some consider it a seminary or Bible college, others argue against this categorisation. This discrepancy highlights the complexities of defining educational institutions based on their founding principles, as their focus may shift over time.
It is worth noting that the lack of a college degree does not equate to a lack of education. Wealthy families often provided education for their children through private tutors or apprenticeships. Additionally, the Founding Fathers who did not attend college still possessed valuable knowledge and skills, contributing significantly to the creation and ratification of the Declaration of Independence.
The Founding Fathers, regardless of their educational backgrounds, played pivotal roles in shaping the course of American history and establishing the nation's independence. Their diverse experiences and perspectives contributed to the richness and complexity of the country's founding ideals and principles.
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Signers of the Constitution included those with careers in law and politics
The United States Constitution was signed by 39 individuals, including several with careers in law and politics. The delegates who signed the Constitution ranged in age from 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton to 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin. Many of the delegates had fought in the American Revolution, and about three-fourths of them had served in Congress.
Several of the signers of the Constitution had careers in law. George Read, for example, was an attorney and politician from New Castle, Delaware. He served as Attorney General under the British crown before opposing the Stamp Act in 1765 and later served in the colonial legislature. Another lawyer and politician, Caleb Strong, disagreed with the delegates' decision to use an electoral college to elect the president, believing that the position should be elected through a legislative body. James Wilson, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, attended the Universities of St. Andrews, Glasgow, and Edinburgh, as well as the College of Philadelphia.
Other signers of the Constitution had careers in politics. William Samuel Johnson, a career politician from Connecticut, passionately debated in favour of equal representation for small states and served as chair of the Committee of Style, which crafted the final version of the Constitution. He later served in the United States Senate and as president of Columbia College. John Blair, born into the prominent political and academic Blair family, studied at the College of William & Mary and London's Middle Temple before entering colonial politics. He held various political and judicial posts during the Revolutionary War and was appointed an associate justice of the Supreme Court in 1789. Roger Sherman of Connecticut, known as "Father Sherman," was the only person to sign all four "founding documents" of the Revolutionary Era: the Articles of Non-Importation, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution. He served in the U.S. House and the Senate until his death.
In addition to their legal and political careers, some of the signers of the Constitution had other notable accomplishments. For example, William Few, who signed the Constitution, also served in the military during the American Revolution and was later elected to various offices in Georgia's government, including surveyor-general and representative in the Continental Congress. He helped with the Constitution's ratification in Georgia and was elected as a United States Senator before returning to Georgia politics. Gouverneur Morris, a critical figure in the creation of the Constitution, lost a leg in a carriage accident but went on to study at King's College (later Columbia University) and was admitted to the New York bar. He served in the New York militia and the Continental Congress during the Revolutionary War and played a crucial role in drafting New York's State Constitution.
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Some signers of the Constitution had served in the military
Of the 39 signers of the US Constitution, 30 had served on active military duty. These men represented a cross-section of 18th-century American leadership, with experience in local, colonial, and state governments.
One of the signers, William Few, had served in the military during the American Revolution in Georgia. He was later elected to various offices in the state government, including surveyor-general and representative in the Continental Congress. He also helped ratify the Constitution in Georgia. Another signer with a military background was James McHenry, who trained as a doctor and served as a Major and military surgeon during the American Revolution. He served directly under George Washington and Marquis de Lafayette. After the war, he was elected to the Maryland state legislature and later appointed as a delegate to the Convention.
George Washington, who is known as the "Father of the Country" and "The Indispensable Man" for his role in the formation of the United States, was Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. He led the American forces to defeat against the most powerful military force of the time. Richard Dobbs Spaight, Sr. was also commissioned in the North Carolina militia and elected to the North Carolina legislature before leaving the military to focus on his political career.
Additionally, William Blount served as a paymaster in the North Carolina militia during the American Revolution. He dedicated his life to public office, serving in the North Carolina legislature and representing his state at the Continental Congress. He attended the Constitutional Convention as a delegate and signed the Constitution reluctantly.
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The average age of the delegates was 42, ranging from 26 to 81
The United States Constitution was signed by 39 individuals, with an average age of 42 years. The youngest signer was Jonathan Dayton, aged 26, and the oldest was Benjamin Franklin, aged 81, who was so infirm that he had to be carried to sessions in a sedan chair.
The educational backgrounds of the signers varied, with some having attended college and others having received private tutoring or apprenticeships. For example, John Witherspoon, a Presbyterian minister and signer of the Declaration of Independence, had attended seminary school. Other colleges attended by the signers include the Universities of St. Andrews, Glasgow, and Edinburgh, as well as the College of Philadelphia.
Several of the signers were also prominent figures in politics and government at the time. Roger Sherman of Connecticut, for instance, was known as "Father Sherman" due to his advanced age and Puritan morality. He served in the U.S. House and Senate and was the only person to sign all four "founding documents" of the Revolutionary Era: the Articles of Non-Importation, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution. Gouverneur Morris, a critical figure in the creation of the Constitution, attended King's College (now Columbia University) and was admitted to the New York bar. He also served in the New York militia and the Continental Congress during the Revolutionary War.
The signers of the Constitution also included George Washington, known as the "Father of the Country," who served as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, and Alexander Hamilton, one of America's most prominent Founding Fathers. James Madison, a key member of the Federal Convention, became the informal "majority leader" during his career in the US House and helped shepherd the first amendments to the Constitution through Congress.
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The College of Philadelphia, founded by Benjamin Franklin, was attended by 21 of the Founding Fathers
Benjamin Franklin, born in 1706, was a Founding Father of the United States. He was a polymath: a writer, scientist, inventor, statesman, diplomat, printer, publisher, and political philosopher. In 1743, Franklin devised a scheme for the Academy, Charity School, and College of Philadelphia. In 1749, he published his famous essay, "Proposals Relating to the Education of Youth," which he circulated among Philadelphia's leading citizens. He then organised 24 trustees to form an institution of higher education based on his proposals. The group purchased a building, and in 1751, the College of Philadelphia opened its doors to children of the gentry and working class alike. Franklin served as president of the institution until 1755 and continued to serve as a trustee until his death in 1790.
Franklin's educational aims were innovative for his time. He wanted to train young people for leadership in business, government, and public service. His proposed programme of study was much more like the modern liberal arts curriculum. However, his fellow trustees were unwilling to implement most of his then-radical ideas. Franklin also helped launch other civic institutions in Philadelphia, including the country's first subscription library in 1731 and first hospital in 1751. He also played a role in the establishment of what would become America's first university, the University of Pennsylvania, in 1749.
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Frequently asked questions
39 people signed the US Constitution.
It is unclear how many of the signers of the US Constitution went to college. However, it is known that Roger Sherman of Connecticut attended college, as did Gouverneur Morris of New York, and John Blair of Williamsburg.
29 of the 56 Founding Fathers who signed the Declaration of Independence went to college.
