Jonah Patel
The US Constitution, the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution, was drafted in 1787 by 55 delegates, 39 of whom signed the document. The delegates' ages ranged from 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton to 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin, with an average age of 42. Four of the most influential delegates, Alexander Hamilton, Edmund Randolph, Gouvernor Morris, and 36-year-old James Madison, were in their thirties. The Continental Congress, which convened to address issues between the colonies and Britain, selected these delegates based on their intelligence and thoughtfulness. The Constitutional Convention, which drafted the Constitution, was presided over by General George Washington, who was elected unanimously.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of individuals appointed to the Constitutional Convention | 70 |
| Number of delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention sessions | 55 |
| Number of delegates who signed the Constitution | 39 |
| Youngest delegate | Jonathan Dayton, 26 |
| Oldest delegate | Benjamin Franklin, 81 |
| Average age of the delegates | 42 |
| Number of influential delegates in their 30s | 4 |
| Number of delegates who graduated from college | Over half (at least 15) |
| Number of delegates who graduated from Princeton | 9 |
| Number of delegates who graduated from British universities | 6 |
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What You'll Learn
The youngest delegate, Jonathan Dayton, was 26
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, by 39 delegates, who ranged in age from 26 to 81. The youngest delegate, Jonathan Dayton, was 26. Dayton was one of the 55 delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention sessions. The average age of the delegates was 42, and four of the most influential delegates—Alexander Hamilton, Edmund Randolph, Gouvernor Morris, and James Madison—were in their thirties.
The Constitutional Convention, which assembled at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was a significant event in the creation of the US Constitution. The delegates convened to draft and debate the framework of the federal government, which resulted in the seven articles that define its basic structure. These articles include the legislative branch (Congress), the executive branch (the President and subordinate officers), and the judicial branch (the Supreme Court and other federal courts).
The age range of the delegates at the Constitutional Convention is notable, with some, like Dayton, being quite young, while others, like Benjamin Franklin, were much older and more experienced. Franklin, at 81, was so infirm that he had to be carried to the sessions in a sedan chair. Despite their age differences, the delegates worked together to shape the direction of the young nation, and their contributions laid the foundation for the US government as we know it today.
Jonathan Dayton, despite his young age, played a significant role in shaping the Constitution. He was a delegate from New Jersey, and his contributions to the debates and discussions are believed to have influenced the final document. Dayton's presence at the Constitutional Convention exemplifies how individuals of varying ages and backgrounds came together to form a more perfect union.
The delegates at the Constitutional Convention represented different states and brought their unique perspectives and experiences to the table. They debated, compromised, and collaborated to create a governing document that balanced federal power with state rights and protected individual liberties. The resulting Constitution has stood the test of time and continues to be the foundation of American democracy.
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The oldest delegate, Benjamin Franklin, was 81
The oldest delegate at the Constitutional Convention was Benjamin Franklin, who was 81 years old at the time. Franklin was so infirm that he had to be carried to sessions in a sedan chair. The Constitutional Convention, which assembled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1787, was attended by 55 delegates, appointed by the original states (except Rhode Island). The average age of the delegates was 42, and only 39 of the 55 delegates who attended the sessions signed the Constitution.
The Constitutional Convention was presided over by General George Washington, who was unanimously elected as its president. The convention was tasked with debating the nation's form of government, and its outcome was the United States Constitution, which was ratified in 1787 and remains the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force in the world.
The delegates at the convention 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 United States Constitution has faced various criticisms since its inception, particularly regarding its failure to originally define who was eligible to vote, allowing each state to make this determination. In the early history of the U.S., most states only allowed white male adult property owners to vote, with New Jersey being the notable exception, where women were able to vote on the same basis as men.
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The average delegate age was 42
The average age of the delegates at the US Constitutional Convention was 42. The delegates' ages ranged from 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton to 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin, who was so infirm that he had to be carried to sessions in a sedan chair.
The Constitutional Convention, which assembled in 1787, was remarkable for having delegates who were both young and experienced. Over half of the delegates were college graduates, with nine from Princeton and six from British universities.
Four of the most influential delegates—Alexander Hamilton, Edmund Randolph, Gouvernor Morris, and James Madison—were in their thirties. James Madison, for example, was a small, boyish-looking 36-year-old delegate from Virginia. Alexander Hamilton was also in his thirties at the time of the convention.
The US Constitution is the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force in the world.
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Four influential delegates were in their 30s
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, by 39 delegates, with the average age of the delegates being 42. Interestingly, the delegates' ages ranged from 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton to 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin, who was so infirm that he had to be carried to sessions in a sedan chair.
Among the delegates, four influential figures stood out for their contributions in their 30s: Alexander Hamilton, Edmund Randolph, Gouvernor Morris, and James Madison. Alexander Hamilton, a prominent figure, privately assessed the chances of the Constitution being ratified. James Madison, a 36-year-old delegate from Virginia, played a significant role in the convention, with his small, boyish appearance noted by many. Gouvernor Morris, known as the ""financier" of the Revolution, opened the proceedings with a nomination for Gen. George Washington's presidency. While Edmund Randolph's specific contributions are not mentioned, his presence as one of the four influential delegates in their 30s underscores the impact of younger individuals on the Constitutional Convention.
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James Madison was 36
James Madison, born in 1751, was 36 when he attended the Constitutional Convention in 1787. Madison, a student of history and government, was well-read in law and participated in the framing of the Virginia Constitution in 1776. He served in the Continental Congress and was a leader in the Virginia Assembly.
Madison was one of the four most influential delegates at the Constitutional Convention, alongside Alexander Hamilton, Edmund Randolph, and Gouvernor Morris. All four men were in their thirties. Madison was also one of the youngest delegates, with the youngest being 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton and the oldest being 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin.
Madison made a significant contribution to the ratification of the Constitution by writing, with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay, the Federalist essays. He also took day-by-day notes of the debates at the convention, which provide a comprehensive history of the proceedings. Madison's influence led to the ratification of the Constitution by Virginia, and he earned the title of "Father of the Constitution" for his pivotal role in drafting and promoting the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
In addition to his work on the Constitution, Madison was elected President in 1808 and served as the fourth President of the United States from 1809 to 1817. He was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates and the Continental Congress during and after the American Revolutionary War. Madison was a strong believer in the value of a strong government with well-controlled and well-balanced power among its branches.
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Frequently asked questions
The average age of the 55 delegates who attended the US Constitutional Convention was 42.
The youngest delegate was Jonathan Dayton, aged 26.
The oldest delegate was Benjamin Franklin, aged 81, who was so infirm that he had to be carried to sessions in a sedan chair.
Yes, four of the most influential delegates—Alexander Hamilton, Edmund Randolph, Gouvernor Morris, and James Madison—were in their thirties.
According to Article I of the US Constitution, representatives must be at least 25 years old and be citizens of the United States.
