Isabella Carter
The United States Constitution was signed by 39 delegates on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The signing of the Constitution occurred after a four-month-long convention, during which 55 of the 74 chosen delegates were in attendance. The majority of the Founding Fathers were Christians, and while the Constitution does not mention God or religion, the Declaration of Independence, signed by 56 men, refers to the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God, the Supreme Judge of the World, the Creator, and divine Providence. Of these 56 men, all but one were Protestants, and four were either present or former ministers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Signers of the Constitution | 39 |
| Number of Signers who were Protestants | 38 (out of 56 signers of the Declaration) |
| Number of Signers who were enslavers | 17-25 |
| Youngest Signer | Jonathan Dayton, aged 26 |
| Oldest Signer | Benjamin Franklin, aged 81 |
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What You'll Learn
The number of signers of the US Constitution
The US Constitution was signed by 39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention, representing 12 of the 13 states (all except Rhode Island, which did not send any delegates). The signing took place on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The 39 signers of the US Constitution included Jonathan Dayton, the youngest signer at age 26, and Benjamin Franklin, the oldest signer at age 81. Franklin was also the first signer to pass away, in April 1790, while James Madison was the last, dying in June 1836.
The signers of the US Constitution came from diverse backgrounds and held various beliefs. Virtually all of them had participated in the Revolution, and at least 29 had served in the Continental forces, mostly in command positions. The signers also had varying religious beliefs, with some being outspoken about their Christianity, while others, like Benjamin Franklin, were considered less religious.
The process of drafting and signing the US Constitution involved complex negotiations and compromises. For example, the Georgia delegates focused on a protective federal government and the right to own slaves, while the Connecticut Compromise addressed representation concerns by incorporating elements of the New Jersey Plan, which advocated for a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state.
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The religious affiliations of the Founding Fathers
The Founding Fathers of the United States consisted of over 250 men, including the signers of the Declaration and Constitution, the framers of the Bill of Rights, leading state governors, and generals in the Revolution. The religious affiliations of these men have been a subject of debate for some time, with scholars, pastors, and writers offering differing opinions.
Firstly, it is important to note that the Founding Fathers were a diverse group with varied beliefs and backgrounds, and not all voices are equal when it comes to evidence. While many of the Founding Fathers were Christians, it is also true that a majority of them were influenced by Deism, a philosophical belief in human reason as a means of solving social and political problems. Deists believe in a supreme being who created the universe to operate solely by natural laws but is absent from the world after its creation. Notable Founding Fathers who practiced Deism include Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, Madison, and Monroe.
The Founding Fathers came from similar religious backgrounds, with most being Protestants. The largest groups were Anglican (including John Jay, George Washington, and Edward Rutledge), Presbyterian (including Richard Stockton and John Witherspoon), and Congregationalist (including John Adams and Samuel Adams). Other Protestant groups included the Society of Friends (Quakers), Lutherans, and the Dutch Reformed. Three Founders were of Roman Catholic heritage: Charles Carroll and Daniel Carroll of Maryland, and Thomas Fitzsimmons of Pennsylvania.
It is worth noting that the Founding Fathers purposely created a nation based on the Constitution, which gave people the freedom to practice their religion. This system has allowed for religious and political freedom and has been a source of pride for the country. The Founding Fathers did not intend to create a Christian nation, and this is evident in the absence of religious references in the founding documents and the First Amendment, which states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion."
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The number of Protestant signers of the Declaration of Independence
The Founding Fathers of the United States, including the signers of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, governors, generals in the Revolution, and framers of the Bill of Rights, were a diverse group of individuals with varying religious beliefs. While not all of them were Christians, many of them identified as such.
Of the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence, the majority, if not all, identified as Christians, and all but one were Protestants. Four of the signers were either present or former ministers, and several others were the sons of clergy. Benjamin Franklin, often considered one of the least religious Founding Fathers, still held some religious beliefs and requested that the Constitutional Convention pray before each session.
The specific number of Protestant signers of the Declaration of Independence is not explicitly stated, but given that all but one of the 56 signers were Protestants, we can deduce that approximately 55 of them were Protestants. This majority Protestant influence is reflected in the Declaration of Independence, which references religion four times, appealing to the "Laws of Nature and of Nature's God," the "Supreme Judge of the world," "the Creator," and "divine Providence."
While the Founding Fathers did not want a national religion, their Christian beliefs influenced their thinking and the founding documents of the nation. The Declaration of Independence, in particular, bears witness to their religious beliefs and values, even as they sought to establish a nation where church and state were separate.
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The role of religion in the Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence, authored by Thomas Jefferson and formally adopted on July 4, 1776, makes four references to religion. The document appeals to the "Laws of Nature and Nature's God," the "Supreme Judge of the World," "the Creator," and "divine Providence." However, these references are not specifically Christian and could be interpreted as rhetorical devices. Nonetheless, the religious beliefs of the Founding Fathers and the signers of the Declaration of Independence likely influenced their thinking and values.
Of the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence, the majority, if not all, identified as Christians, specifically Protestants, with only one known Roman Catholic signer, Charles Carroll. Four of the signers were either present or former ministers, and many were the sons of clergy. Additionally, at least half of them had studied divinity or theology at university, and 29 of the 56 held what would be considered seminary degrees today.
The Founding Fathers, which included the signers of the Declaration, the framers of the Constitution, and leading statesmen and generals, did not want to establish a national religion. Benjamin Franklin, for example, is considered one of the least religious Founding Fathers, yet he requested that the Constitutional Convention pray before each session and believed that "God governs the affairs of men." Thomas Jefferson, while not an orthodox Christian thinker, was influenced by his belief in Natural Law, which guided his intentions for the Declaration of Independence.
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The Founding Fathers' views on a national religion
The Founding Fathers of the United States were a group of late-18th-century American revolutionary leaders who united the Thirteen Colonies, oversaw the War of Independence from Great Britain, established the United States of America, and crafted a framework of government for the new nation. 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 Founding Fathers did not want a national religion, but many believed, as Benjamin Franklin did, that "God governs the affairs of men." The Founding Fathers allowed freedom of religion, believing that promoting morality was the central value and purpose of religion, and that religion was indispensable to society because it engendered morality. They believed that virtually all religions fulfilled that purpose – not just Christianity.
The Founding Fathers were a diverse group of individuals who held diverse views on most subjects, including religion. The majority of the Founding Fathers were religious rationalists or Unitarians, and many were Christians. Twenty-nine of the 56 signers of the Declaration held what would be considered seminary degrees today, and many others were outspoken about their Christianity. Benjamin Franklin, who is considered to be one of the least religious of the framers, requested that the Constitutional Convention pray before each session. Four of the signers were either present or former ministers, and a number of the signers were the sons of clergy.
The Founding Fathers were influenced by Deism, a movement of reason and equality that stood for rational inquiry, skepticism about dogma and mystery, and religious toleration. Depending on the extent to which they were influenced by Deism, their religious beliefs could be categorized as non-Christian Deism, Christian Deism, or orthodox Christianity. Some of the Founding Fathers, such as Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson, were Christian Deists, while others, such as Ethan Allen, were non-Christian Deists.
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Frequently asked questions
39 delegates signed the US Constitution.
While I cannot find the exact number, it is likely that most of the signers were Protestants, given that the majority of the Founding Fathers were Christians.
Yes, Benjamin Franklin, who is considered to be one of the least religious of the framers, was a signatory of the US Constitution.
