Omar Bennett
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Out of the 55 delegates who attended the convention, only 39 signed the Constitution, with Jonathan Dayton, aged 26, being the youngest and Benjamin Franklin, aged 81, being the oldest. Of the 39 signers, three were Virginians: John Blair, James Madison, and George Washington.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Virginians signing the Constitution | 4 |
| Total number of delegates attending the Constitutional Convention | 55 |
| Number of delegates signing the Constitution | 39 |
| Age range of delegates | 26-81 |
| Number of delegates who were enslavers | 17 |
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What You'll Learn
39 delegates signed the Constitution
The United States Constitution, one of the most important documents in the history of democracy, was signed by thirty-nine delegates on September 17, 1787, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. These delegates, also known as the Founding Fathers, represented twelve of the thirteen states that were present at the Constitutional Convention. The only state that did not send delegates to the convention was Rhode Island.
Out of the thirty-nine signatories, seven were from Virginia, making it the state with the largest representation among the signers. The Virginians who signed the Constitution included some of the most prominent and influential figures of the time. George Washington, who would go on to become the first President of the United States, was one of the Virginia signatories. Often referred to as the "Father of his Country," Washington played a crucial role in the convention proceedings and was widely respected for his leadership during the Revolutionary War.
Another notable Virginian signer was James Madison, often called the "Father of the Constitution." Madison kept detailed notes during the convention and is known for his significant contributions to shaping and drafting the document. He would later go on to become the fourth President of the United States and played a key role in crafting the Bill of Rights. Thomas Jefferson, who was serving as the Minister to France during the convention, was not present at the Constitutional Convention, but he corresponded with Madison and provided his thoughts and ideas on the formation of the new government.
The other Virginians who signed the Constitution were George Mason, James McClurg, George Wythe, and John Blair. George Mason is known for drafting the Virginia Declaration of Rights, which served as a precursor to the Bill of Rights of the United States Constitution. While Mason did not attend the Constitutional Convention, his ideas and writings had a significant influence on the final document. James McClurg was a physician and played an active role in the convention, serving on various committees. George Wythe, a distinguished lawyer and jurist, was the oldest signer of the Constitution, and John Blair was a prominent jurist and politician who went on to serve as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.
The contributions of these Virginians, along with the other delegates, helped shape the foundation of the American political system and continue to have a lasting impact on the country's laws and governance. Their dedication to creating a framework that balanced power, protected individual liberties, and established a durable republic has ensured that their legacy endures.
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74 individuals were selected to attend
The creation of the United States Constitution was a lengthy process, with 74 individuals selected to attend the Constitutional Convention. However, only 55 delegates from 12 states attended the convention in Philadelphia, which began in May 1787. The original states, except Rhode Island, appointed 70 individuals to the convention, but several did not accept or were unable to attend. These included Richard Henry Lee, Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock.
The delegates in attendance represented a range of ages, with the youngest being 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton and the oldest being 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin, who had to be carried to sessions due to his infirmity. The delegates came from diverse backgrounds, with varying levels of involvement in the Revolution. At least 29 had served in the Continental forces, and all but seven were native to the thirteen colonies.
The Constitutional Convention witnessed intense debates and compromises on crucial issues, such as the election of the president, fair representation in Congress, and the role of slaves in the population. The delegates ultimately concluded that creating a new system was preferable to repairing the existing one, leading to the formation of a new American government.
The final draft of the Constitution was presented to the convention on September 12, 1787, and the signing occurred on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Endorsed by 39 delegates, the Constitution was the culmination of a four-month-long convention. Of the 39 signers, 11 were identified as "owning or managing slave-operated plantations or large farms."
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55 delegates attended
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 55 delegates attended the Constitutional Convention sessions, but only 39 actually signed the Constitution. The delegates represented 12 states—all except Rhode Island, which declined to send delegates. The delegates ranged in age from Jonathan Dayton, the youngest at 26, to Benjamin Franklin, the oldest at 81, who was so infirm that he had to be carried to sessions in a sedan chair.
The signing of the Constitution was the culmination of a four-month-long convention that began in May 1787. The delegates met to discuss improvements to the Articles of Confederation, which were believed to be inadequate due to their creation of a weak and underfunded federal government. However, they ultimately concluded that a new system was preferable to repairing the current one. As a result, they created a new American government, making decisions and compromises on critical issues such as how to elect a president, fair representation in Congress, and the role of slaves in the population.
The final draft of the Constitution, presented to the convention on September 12, 1787, consisted of seven articles, a preamble, and a closing statement. The closing endorsement, written by Gouverneur Morris, was intentionally ambiguous to gain the votes of dissenting delegates and create the appearance of unanimity. Benjamin Franklin, the oldest signer, also played a pivotal role in endorsing the Constitution. On the final day of the convention, he delivered an address, read by James Wilson, strongly endorsing the document despite its imperfections.
The 55 delegates who attended the convention's proceedings in Philadelphia included individuals from various backgrounds. Notably, about 25 of them were enslavers, and 17 of those held approximately 1,400 enslaved people collectively. The presence and influence of these delegates shaped the compromises and decisions made during the convention, particularly regarding the contentious issue of slavery.
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11 signers owned or managed slave-operated plantations
Of the 55 delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention, 39 signed the Constitution. The National Park Service lists 12 of these signers as men who "owned or managed slave-operated plantations or large farms". Notably, this included future presidents James Madison and George Washington.
The exact number of signers who enslaved people is disputed. While the Constitutional Rights Foundation asserts that 17 of the 55 delegates were enslavers, the Gilder Lehrman Institute for American History estimates that "about 25" of the delegates enslaved people. These figures represent the number of delegates to the Convention who were enslavers, but it is unclear how many of these individuals actually signed the Constitution.
The extent of enslavement among the Founding Fathers varied, ranging from a few household slaves to entire plantations. Thomas Jefferson, for example, owned over 600 slaves in his lifetime, more than any other US President. While some Founding Fathers may have felt that the slave trade should have been abolished, their tolerance and defense of slavery often came down to self-interest.
In addition to the 12 signers listed by the National Park Service, George Washington also owned slaves. As the Convention President, his name was not included with the other signers, but he is considered one of the Founding Fathers of the United States.
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Benjamin Franklin was the first signer to die
Seventy-four individuals were selected to attend the Constitutional Convention, but only 39 delegates signed the Constitution. Of these, eight were Virginians. Benjamin Franklin, aged 81, was the oldest of the signers. He was infirm and had to be carried to the sessions in a sedan chair. On the final day of the Constitutional Convention, Franklin delivered an address strongly endorsing the Constitution, hoping to gain the support of critics and create a sense of common accord. He was the first signer to die, in April 1790.
Franklin was one of the leading figures in early American history. He was a Founding Father of the United States, a writer, scientist, inventor, statesman, diplomat, printer, publisher, and political philosopher. He was also the only person to sign the Declaration of Independence, the Treaty of Paris peace with Britain, and the Constitution. He earned the title of "The First American" for his early and tireless campaigning for colonial unity.
Franklin's legacy of scientific and political achievement has been honoured for more than two centuries. His more than 30,000 letters and documents have been collected in The Papers of Benjamin Franklin. He is also remembered in the names of warships, towns, counties, educational institutions, and corporations, as well as in numerous cultural references and a portrait in the Oval Office.
Franklin's death was mourned in the United States and France. News of his death arrived in New York City on 22 April 1790. James Madison proposed that the members of the House of Representatives wear badges of mourning for a month, in respect for a citizen whose "native genius was not more an ornament to human nature, than his various exertions of it have been precious to science, to freedom, and to his country." The next day, Charles Carroll urged a similar gesture on the part of the Senate. In France, Benjamin Vaughan wrote to the Duc de la Rochefoucauld to urge him to convey the news to Lafayette, Mirabeau, and others. Mirabeau's electrifying announcement to the National Assembly produced a stunned silence.
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