The Constitution Framers: Their Age And Legacy

The United States Constitution, the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in the world, was drafted in 1787 by 55 delegates, ranging in age from 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton to 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin. The average age of the delegates was 42, with four of the most influential delegates—Alexander Hamilton, Edmund Randolph, Gouvernor Morris, and James Madison—being in their thirties.

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The average age of the delegates was 42

The United States Constitution was written and signed in 1787. The drafting of the Constitution, often referred to as its framing, was completed at the Constitutional Convention, which assembled in Philadelphia in May of that year. The average age of the 38 delegates who signed the Constitution was 42.

The Constitutional Convention was tasked with revising the existing government, but the delegates ultimately created a new form of government. Representing wildly different interests and views, the delegates crafted compromises. The Constitution they produced stands today as one of the longest-lived and most emulated constitutions in the world.

The delegates were both young and experienced. Four of the most influential delegates—Alexander Hamilton, Edmund Randolph, Gouvernor Morris, and James Madison—were in their thirties. Over half of the delegates were college graduates, with nine from Princeton and six from British universities.

The oldest delegate was Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, who was 81. Franklin was a man of many talents: a printer, storekeeper, publisher, scientist, public official, philosopher, diplomat, and ladies' man. The youngest delegate was the 36-year-old James Madison of Virginia. Madison played a key role in the convention, leading the nationalists who appeared to have the proceedings in their grip.

Four influential delegates were in their 30s

The US Constitution, the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force, was signed on September 17, 1787. The average age of the 38 delegates who signed it was 42, and four of the most influential delegates were in their thirties.

The four influential delegates who were in their thirties were Alexander Hamilton, Edmund Randolph, Gouvernor Morris, and James Madison. Hamilton, who was from New York, was a brilliant, ambitious former aide-de-camp and secretary to Washington during the Revolution. He had become a powerful political figure after marrying into the Schuyler family of New York. Madison, a 36-year-old delegate from Virginia, was also among the influential nationalists who believed that any new constitution should be ratified through conventions of the people rather than by Congress or state legislatures.

The Constitutional Convention, which assembled in Philadelphia in May 1787, was tasked with revising the existing government. However, the delegates ended up creating a completely new form of government, compromising to represent their wildly different interests and views. The Constitution's first three articles embody the doctrine of the separation of powers, dividing the federal government into the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Benjamin Franklin was 81

Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, was 81 years old when he helped create the Constitution. Franklin was a publisher, entrepreneur, and diplomat, and was perhaps the most-quoted public figure of his generation. He is famous for his sayings or "proverbs", which appeared in Poor Richard's Almanack and his newspaper, the Pennsylvania Gazette.

Franklin was involved in the Constitutional Convention, which assembled in Philadelphia in May 1787. The delegates, representing wildly different interests and views, came together to revise the Articles of Confederation, which was America's first constitution. However, by mid-June, they had decided to completely redesign the government. The delegates argued fiercely over congressional representation, with some believing it should be based on population, and others believing it should be divided equally among the states. They eventually compromised by giving each state one representative for every 30,000 people in the House of Representatives and two representatives in the Senate.

Franklin, in a speech at the Convention, expressed his views on the existing forms of government:

> We have gone back to ancient history for models of Government, and examined different forms of those Republics [...] And we have viewed modern States all round Europe but find none of their Constitutions suitable to our circumstances.

On September 17, 1787, 38 delegates signed the Constitution, with George Reed signing on behalf of the absent John Dickinson of Delaware, bringing the total number of signatures to 39. Franklin, at 81, was the oldest signatory. The Constitution of the United States is the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution still in force in the world.

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James Madison was 36

Madison was a delegate from Virginia and played a key role in the Constitutional Convention, which assembled in Philadelphia in May 1787. The convention aimed to revise the Articles of Confederation, but by mid-June, the delegates decided to create a new form of government. Madison and his allies believed that the state legislatures would be reluctant to give up power, so they bypassed them and called for special ratifying conventions in each state.

The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, and it stands as one of the longest-lived and most emulated constitutions in the world. Madison's contribution to its creation was significant, and his young age did not hinder his ability to shape the nation's future. He, along with other young and experienced delegates, helped craft a powerful central government that addressed the challenges facing the nation at the time.

Madison's role in the creation of the US Constitution highlights the impact that young individuals can have on shaping a nation's laws and governance. His influence at such a young age demonstrates the importance of energy and experience working together in the journey of life.

George Washington was unanimously elected president of the convention

The United States Constitution, the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force, was signed by 38 delegates on September 17, 1787. The Constitutional Convention, which assembled in Philadelphia in May 1787, saw delegates from 13 states gather to revise the existing government. They ended up drafting a new constitution.

George Washington, who had led the Continental Army to victory during the Revolutionary War, was unanimously elected president of the convention. Initially, Washington declined invitations to attend the convention. He expressed cynicism about the future of the colonies and the possibility of establishing a functioning government without British rule. However, he eventually conceded due to pressure from several prominent individuals, including James Madison and General Henry Knox, an old military partner.

Washington's role as president of the convention was mostly non-partisan. He oversaw debates between differing opinions and ensured order throughout the four-month-long convention. Washington did not contribute much to the debates, and his opinions about the plans and compromises of the convention were the subject of much speculation. He believed that a strong central government was essential to maintain order and ensure prosperity in the new nation.

Washington's private letters reveal that he supported the Constitution. In a letter to Charles Carter dated December 14, 1787, he briefly gave his opinion on the Constitution. On December 27, 1787, his opinion was printed in the Fredericksburg Virginia Herald. Washington's crucial role in the convention, along with his lobbying efforts, led to the unanimous ratification of the Constitution by the convention members and all thirteen states.

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