Isabella Carter
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, by 39 of the 55 delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention sessions. The ages of the men who signed the Constitution ranged 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. Benjamin Franklin, who was the oldest signer, was so infirm that he had to be carried to the sessions in a sedan chair.
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What You'll Learn
The youngest signer was 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, by 39 delegates, with the signatories' ages ranging from 26 to 81. The youngest signer was 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton, while the oldest was 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin. Franklin, who was so infirm that he had to be carried to the sessions in a sedan chair, summed up the sentiments of those who did sign, stating:
> There are several parts of this Constitution which I do not at present approve, but I am not sure I shall never approve them. I accept the Constitution [...] because I expect no better and because I am not sure that it is not the best.
Jonathan Dayton, on the other hand, was only 26 years old at the time of signing. He was born in 1760 in what is now Elizabeth, New Jersey, and was a delegate from the state of New Jersey. Dayton went on to serve in the US House of Representatives and the US Senate and was the youngest person to sign the US Constitution.
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. Over half of the delegates had graduated from college, with nine from Princeton and six from British universities. Additionally, 8 signed the Declaration of Independence, 25 served in the Continental Congress, 15 helped draft the new State Constitutions between 1776 and 1780, and 40 served in the Confederation Congress between 1783 and 1787.
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The oldest signer was 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin
The oldest signer of the US Constitution was Benjamin Franklin, aged 81. Franklin was a Founding Father and the only one to have signed all four of the key documents establishing the US. These were the Declaration of Independence (1776), the Treaty of Alliance with France (1778), the Treaty of Paris establishing peace with Great Britain (1783), and the US Constitution (1787).
Franklin was a statesman, author, publisher, scientist, inventor, and diplomat. He was born in Boston in 1706 and had little formal education. He moved to Philadelphia at the age of 17 and found work as a printer. He later opened a successful printing business and became wealthy. Franklin was deeply involved in public affairs in Philadelphia, helping to launch a lending library, hospital, and college. He was also known for his experiments with electricity, among other projects.
In addition to his scientific pursuits, Franklin was active in politics. He served in the Second Continental Congress and proposed a plan to unite the colonies under a national congress in 1754. He also helped draft the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and negotiated the Treaty of Paris in 1783, which ended the Revolutionary War. As a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1787, Franklin played a significant role in shaping the US Constitution.
Despite his advanced age and infirmity, Franklin strongly endorsed the Constitution. He summed up the sentiments of those who signed the document, acknowledging its imperfections but accepting it as the best option. Franklin's address, read by James Wilson, helped gain the support of critics and create a sense of common accord. He proposed that the Constitution be endorsed by the delegates as individual witnesses of the unanimous consent of the states present. This proposal was agreed upon, and the signers subscribed to their names accordingly.
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The average age of the delegates was 42
The signing of the United States Constitution is a significant event in history, and the age of the delegates who made it happen is an interesting aspect to consider. The average age of the delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention was 42, with a range of ages from the youngest, Jonathan Dayton, at 26, to the oldest, Benjamin Franklin, at 81. This range of ages, with a fairly high average, is notable and perhaps unexpected for such a significant political event.
The Constitutional Convention, which took place in 1787, brought together a diverse group of individuals in terms of age and experience. While the average age was 42, it is worth noting that four of the most influential delegates, Alexander Hamilton, Edmund Randolph, Gouvernor Morris, and James Madison, were in their thirties. This highlights the presence of younger individuals in positions of power and influence during this pivotal moment in American history.
The relatively high average age of 42 suggests a certain level of maturity, wisdom, and experience among the delegates. This could have been a beneficial factor in the discussions and decision-making processes during the Convention. It is interesting to consider how this mix of ages and experiences may have influenced the outcome of the Convention and shaped the resulting Constitution.
Additionally, it is worth noting that the delegates had varying levels of education and political experience. Over half of the delegates had graduated from college, with a significant number from Princeton and British universities. Many of them had also served in the Continental Congress, drafted state constitutions, or served in the Confederation Congress. This mix of ages, education, and experience likely contributed to a dynamic and diverse environment during the Constitutional Convention.
The presence of both younger and older delegates, with the average falling at 42, showcases the importance of intergenerational collaboration in shaping the foundation of a nation. It is a reminder that great achievements can arise when people of different ages and backgrounds come together, each bringing their unique perspectives and experiences to the table.
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Four influential delegates were in their 30s
The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, by 39 delegates out of the 55 who attended the Constitutional Convention sessions. The average age of the delegates was 42, with the youngest being 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton and the oldest being 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin. Benjamin Franklin was so infirm that he had to be carried to sessions in a sedan chair.
Four influential delegates—Alexander Hamilton, Edmund Randolph, Gouvernor Morris, and James Madison—were in their 30s. Hamilton's exact birth year is unknown, but it is believed to be either 1755 or 1757. Hamilton called the Constitution a "weak and worthless fabric", certain to be superseded. Gouvernor Morris, on the other hand, played an active role in the creation of the Constitution. He conceived the language of the concluding endorsement, which was presented to the convention by Benjamin Franklin. This language was intentionally ambiguous to win over the votes of dissenting delegates.
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The age of Alexander Hamilton is uncertain
The age of Alexander Hamilton when he signed the US Constitution is uncertain. Hamilton was born on January 11, 1755 or 1757, in Nevis, British West Indies. He was a delegate from New York to the Congress of the Confederation in Philadelphia after the Revolutionary War. In 1786, he led the Annapolis Convention, which sought to strengthen the power of the independent states. The following year, he was a delegate to the Philadelphia Convention, which drafted the US Constitution.
Hamilton was a major author of the Federalist Papers, writing 51 of the 85 essays published. He also supervised the entire project, enlisted participants, and oversaw publication. Hamilton's words in the Federalist Papers are still used by lawmakers to interpret the Constitution. As a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, he signed the Constitution as an individual, as the other two delegates from New York had withdrawn from the convention. However, his exact age at the time of signing remains uncertain due to the discrepancy in his birth year.
Hamilton made significant contributions to the formation of the United States and is known for his role as the first secretary of the treasury, serving from 1789 to 1795. He advocated for a strong central government and a diversified economy. Hamilton also founded the Bank of New York and helped establish the Bank of North America, the first bank in the United States. He had a close relationship with General George Washington, serving on his staff during the Revolutionary War and later becoming a trusted member of his cabinet.
The age of the men who signed the Constitution varied. The delegates ranged in age from Jonathan Dayton, aged 26, to Benjamin Franklin, aged 81. While Franklin was infirm and had to be carried to the sessions, Dayton was the youngest signer, and Franklin was the first signer to pass away in April 1790. James Madison was the last signer to die in June 1836.
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Frequently asked questions
The men who signed the Constitution ranged in age from 26 to 81.
The youngest person to sign the Constitution was Jonathan Dayton, aged 26.
The oldest person to sign the Constitution was Benjamin Franklin, aged 81.
The average age of the delegates was 42.
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