Simone Lawson
The United States Constitution was written by a group of men known as the Founding Fathers, who came from various age groups, providing a diverse range of experiences and perspectives. The average age of the delegates was 42, with some being in their thirties, such as Alexander Hamilton, Edmund Randolph, Gouverneur Morris, and James Madison, often referred to as the Father of the Constitution. Other notable Founding Fathers and their ages at the time of the Constitutional Convention in 1787 include George Washington (55), Benjamin Franklin (81), and Thomas Jefferson (44). The combination of youthful energy and older wisdom helped shape the Constitution into the enduring document it is today.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average age of the delegates | 42 years |
| Age of George Washington | 55 years |
| Age of Benjamin Franklin | 81 years |
| Age of Thomas Jefferson | 44 years |
| Age of James Madison | 36 years |
| Age of Alexander Hamilton | 32 years |
| Average age of the signers | 44 years |
| College graduates | Over half |
| Signed the Declaration of Independence | 8 |
| Served in the Continental Congress | 25 |
| Helped draft new State Constitutions (1776-1780) | 15 |
| Served in the Confederation Congress (1783-1787) | 40 |
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What You'll Learn
Benjamin Franklin was 81 years old, the oldest delegate
Benjamin Franklin, at 81 years old, was the oldest delegate at the Constitutional Convention. Born in 1706, Franklin was a delegate to the Continental Congress in 1775, where he played a crucial role in drafting the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation, which laid the groundwork for a new union. With his extensive experience in international affairs, Franklin was selected as one of the Continental Congress's first ministers to France, where he rose to prominence among the French intellectual elite.
Franklin's wisdom and maturity, honed over a long life, contributed to his impact on the Constitutional Convention. In his own words, Franklin acknowledged the value of his age and experience, stating that living long had taught him to doubt his judgment and pay greater respect to the judgments of others. This humility and openness to diverse perspectives were invaluable during the convention, where delegates had to navigate conflicting interests and opinions to forge a unified constitution.
Beyond his age, Franklin's international experience and reputation as a statesman also set him apart from the other delegates. He had served as a delegate to the Continental Congress and played a pivotal role in shaping the early government of the United States. Additionally, Franklin's time in France had exposed him to different political and cultural perspectives, broadening his worldview and enhancing his diplomatic skills.
Franklin's advanced age did not diminish his enthusiasm for the task at hand. In his closing speech at the Constitutional Convention in 1787, Franklin expressed his support for the Constitution, acknowledging its imperfections but believing it to be the best option for a general government. He understood the challenges of crafting a perfect document with a group of individuals, each bringing their biases and interests to the table.
Benjamin Franklin's presence at the Constitutional Convention exemplifies the importance of intergenerational collaboration in shaping a nation's future. His wisdom, experience, and willingness to compromise were pivotal in navigating the complexities of nation-building and uniting the delegates toward a common goal. Franklin's legacy serves as a reminder that the contributions of the elderly are invaluable in shaping the course of history.
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George Washington was 55 years old
George Washington, born on February 22, 1732, was 55 years old when the US Constitution was drafted in 1787. He was a Founding Father and the first president of the United States, serving from 1789 to 1797.
Washington played a crucial role in the drafting of the Constitution. In 1787, he served as president of the Constitutional Convention, which was held in Philadelphia. The Convention brought together 55 state delegates who passionately debated the future of the United States. Washington's leadership was instrumental in guiding the delegates towards consensus and compromise. He fostered an atmosphere that allowed delegates with diverse interests and views to reach the necessary agreements.
Washington's belief in a strong central government influenced his approach to the Constitutional Convention. He saw the need for a unified nation, with a powerful central governing body, to prevent the young country from collapsing. This belief was shaped by his experiences during the American Revolutionary War and the subsequent challenges faced by the country.
As commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, Washington led the Patriot forces to victory against the British Empire. After the war, he called for a strong union and expressed concern about the Articles of Confederation, which lacked enforcement powers and effectively governed the country. Washington's leadership during this critical period in American history helped shape the direction of the nation and laid the foundation for the creation of the US Constitution.
Washington's contributions to the Constitution extended beyond his role in the Constitutional Convention. He was also involved in earlier discussions and efforts to shape the country's governance. In 1774, he worked with George Mason to draft a list of resolutions for the Fairfax County committee, which included a call to end the Atlantic slave trade. Washington's involvement in these early efforts demonstrated his commitment to shaping a nation founded on certain principles and values.
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Thomas Jefferson was 44 years old
Jefferson had a keen interest in constitutional issues and had written about and debated them extensively prior to 1787. He also corresponded with Madison about the failures of the Articles of Confederation and the need for a more powerful central government. During the Constitutional Convention, Jefferson shared some of his ideas with Madison, including his belief that the federal government should not have the power to veto laws passed by the states.
After the Constitutional Convention, Jefferson wrote a letter to Madison objecting to key parts of the Constitution. He was concerned that the document lacked a Bill of Rights and failed to establish term limits for federal officials. Jefferson's correspondence with Madison helped to convince the latter to introduce a bill of rights into the First Congress. This eventually led to the first 10 amendments to the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights, which went into effect in 1791.
As the first secretary of state, vice president, leader of the first political opposition party, and third president of the United States, Jefferson played a crucial role in shaping the nation's capital and defining the powers of the Constitution and the nature of the emerging republic. He sought to establish a federal government of limited powers and interpreted the Constitution narrowly, although he was willing to expand his interpretation to purchase the Louisiana Territory from France. Jefferson's most lasting legacies are his contributions to articulating American ideals and leading the nation during its early years.
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Alexander Hamilton was in his thirties
While it is unclear whether Alexander Hamilton was born in 1755 or 1757, most evidence supports the idea that he was born in 1757. This would have made him 30 years old when he was selected to serve as one of New York's delegates at the Constitutional Convention in 1787. Hamilton's direct influence at the convention was quite limited, as the other two delegates from New York, John Lansing Jr. and Robert Yates, opposed his goal of a strong national government. However, he played a major leadership role at the 1786 Annapolis Convention, which sought to strengthen the power of the loose confederation of independent states. He also drafted the resolution for a constitutional convention, which brought him one step closer to his longtime desire for a more financially self-sufficient federal government.
In his thirties, Hamilton was also a trusted member of President Washington's first cabinet, serving as the first US secretary of the treasury. He envisioned a central government led by an energetic executive, a strong national defense, and a diversified economy with a significantly expanded industry. Hamilton was an avid writer and authored 51 of the 85 installments of The Federalist Papers, which proved persuasive in securing the ratification of the Constitution by the states. He also led the collaboration with James Madison and John Jay on the Federalist Papers, a collection of 85 articles and essays written under the pseudonym "Publius" to promote the ratification of the Constitution.
Hamilton's military career also flourished during his thirties. In 1783, he was made Colonel and led a successful attack at Yorktown, contributing to the final American victory. He left the military by the end of that year but continued to serve as an aide to General Washington with the rank of lieutenant colonel. He handled letters to the Continental Congress, state governors, and the most powerful generals of the Continental Army. He also drafted many of Washington's orders and letters and eventually issued orders on Washington's behalf.
In 1786, at the age of 29 or 31, Hamilton founded the Bank of New York and led the Annapolis Convention. He also played a role in intercepting a group of disgruntled soldiers from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, who were demanding their back pay from Congress. Hamilton argued that Congress should adjourn to Princeton, New Jersey, and they agreed. This incident further solidified his belief in the need for a stronger national government.
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James Madison, the 'Father of the Constitution', was 36 years old
James Madison, born on March 16, 1751, was 36 years old when he drafted the Constitution of the United States. He is popularly known as the "Father of the Constitution" for his pivotal role in drafting, promoting, and defending the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Madison was a Founding Father and the fourth president of the United States, serving from 1809 to 1817.
Madison was born into a prominent slave-owning planter family in Virginia. He joined the Patriots in 1774, strongly opposed to British taxation. He was also a member of the Virginia House of Delegates and the Continental Congress during and after the American Revolutionary War. Dissatisfied with the weak national government established by the Articles of Confederation, Madison helped organize the Constitutional Convention, which produced a new constitution designed to strengthen the republican government against democratic assembly.
In preparation for the 1787 Constitutional Convention, Madison drafted the Virginia Plan, which provided the framework for the Constitution. He spent the months leading up to the convention studying centuries of political philosophy and past attempts at republican forms of government. Madison's plan proposed a central government with three branches—executive, legislative, and judicial—that would check and balance each other, preventing any one branch from becoming too powerful.
Madison also played a crucial role in the movement to ratify the Constitution. He collaborated with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay in writing The Federalist Papers, a series of pro-ratification essays that became one of the most influential works of political science in American history. Madison's expertise and influence were widely recognized by his fellow delegates, who held him in high esteem. He is remembered for his unwavering commitment to the creation and ratification of the Constitution, despite facing opposition from Anti-Federalists.
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Frequently asked questions
George Washington was 55 years old.
Benjamin Franklin was the oldest delegate at 81 years old.
Alexander Hamilton was 32 years old, making him one of the youngest delegates, along with Edmund Randolph, Gouvernor Morris, and James Madison, who were all in their thirties.
The average age of the delegates was 42 years old.
James Madison, at 36 years old, is often referred to as the 'Father of the Constitution' due to his crucial role in the drafting process.
