Founding Fathers' Ages: Constitution Writers' Untold Story

The Founding Fathers of the United States, often referred to as the Founders, were a group of late-18th-century American revolutionary leaders who united the Thirteen Colonies, oversaw the War of Independence from Britain, established the United States, 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 Constitution was signed by 39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention, ranging in age from 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton to 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin.

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The Founding Fathers' ages ranged from 26 to 81

The Founding Fathers of the United States, also referred to as the Founders, were a group of late-18th-century American revolutionary leaders who united the Thirteen Colonies, oversaw the War of Independence from 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 were not a homogeneous group of older men with white wigs and false teeth. In fact, many of them were quite young when they helped create the country. The Founding Fathers' ages ranged from 26 to 81. Jonathan Dayton was the youngest Founding Father at 26 years old, while Benjamin Franklin was the oldest at 81 years old. Franklin was so infirm that he had to be carried to sessions in a sedan chair.

Other notable Founding Fathers and their ages at the time of their notable contributions include George Washington, who was 43 years old when he accepted command of the American Army during the war; Thomas Jefferson, who was 33 years old when he wrote the Declaration of Independence; John Adams, who was 40 years old when he argued for American independence; James Madison, who was 36 years old when he attended the Constitutional Convention; John Jay, who was 43 years old when he became the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court; and Alexander Hamilton, who was 33 years old when he was made Secretary of the Treasury.

The Founding Fathers' contributions to the creation of the United States were unique and varied. While some thought, others wrote, fought, or served in public office. All of them played a role in shaping the nation.

Benjamin Franklin was the oldest

The Founding Fathers, often simply referred to as the Founders, were a group of late-18th-century American revolutionary leaders who united the Thirteen Colonies, oversaw the War of Independence from 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.

Many of the Founding Fathers were quite young when they helped create the country. For example, Thomas Jefferson was 33 years old when he wrote the Declaration of Independence, and John Adams was 40 years old when he argued for American independence. James Madison was 36 years old when he attended the Constitutional Convention, and John Jay was 43 when he became the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Alexander Hamilton was 33 when he was made Secretary of the Treasury.

The Founding Fathers were not all present at the signing of the Constitution. Of the 70 individuals appointed to the Constitutional Convention, only 55 attended the sessions, and 39 signed the Constitution. Benjamin Franklin, the oldest of the Founding Fathers, was one of those who signed.

George Washington was 43

George Washington, the single person most identified as the "Father" of the United States, was 43 years old when he accepted command of the American Army during the war. He was a general in the American Revolution and the nation's first president. Washington played a pivotal role in the Constitutional Convention, lending credibility to the effort of drafting a more robust government.

Washington's participation in the war convinced him of the urgent need for a strong federal government, as the individual states were failing to meet organisational and supply demands. He was instrumental in shaping the agenda and tone of the proceedings, proposing a national government grounded in popular representation with three co-equal branches to check each other. His Virginia Plan, though revised in debate, left its fingerprints on nearly every clause of the final draft.

Washington's influence extended beyond his military and political leadership. He was also involved in the creation of the Declaration of Independence, which was distributed throughout the 13 colonies/states, with copies sent to him and his troops in New York. This document, along with the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution, established the framework for the new nation.

Washington's early involvement in shaping the country's founding documents and his subsequent role as the first president set critical precedents that continue to shape the presidency and the nation as a whole. His contributions, along with those of other Founding Fathers, reflect their dedication to establishing a robust and accountable government that protected the rights of its citizens.

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James Madison was 36

James Madison, born in 1751, was 36 years old when he played a pivotal role in drafting the United States Constitution in 1787. He was one of 55 delegates at the Constitutional Convention, and is often referred to as the "Father of the Constitution". Madison was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates and the Continental Congress during and after the American Revolutionary War. He was dissatisfied with the weak national government established by the Articles of Confederation, and so helped to organise the Constitutional Convention, which produced a new constitution designed to strengthen republican government against democratic assembly.

Madison's Virginia Plan proposed a national government grounded in popular representation, with three co-equal branches to check each other. His proposals were revised in debate, but his fingerprints remained on nearly every clause. More than a framer, he was the Convention’s chronicler, and his exhaustive notes remain the definitive record of the summer that reshaped the world. Madison also wrote George Washington's inaugural address to Congress in 1789, setting the tone for the new republic.

Madison was a stalwart in defence of the new plan, joining with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay to write a series of essays that could help turn public opinion toward ratification. He was a prime author of what became known as The Federalist—a series of oft-reprinted newspaper and pamphlet articles. Madison's role in the creation of the Constitution was so important that he was popularly acclaimed as the "Father of the Constitution", and he is considered one of the Founding Fathers of the United States.

The Founding Fathers 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.

John Adams was 40

Adams began his political career as a town council member in Braintree, outside Boston. He gained wider attention after writing a series of essays during the Stamp Act crisis of 1765. In 1770, he was elected to the Massachusetts General Assembly, and in 1774, he was elected to the Continental Congress.

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 single person most identified as the "'Father'" of the United States is George Washington, the nation's first president. However, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and James Madison are also considered Founding Fathers and served as the nation's first four presidents.

The Founding Fathers were not a monolithic group, and they had diverse political experiences at the national and state levels. While some thought, wrote, or fought, others served in public office. All of them contributed uniquely to the creation of the republic.

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