Eleanor Finch
The United States Constitution was signed by 55 delegates, also known as the Founding Fathers, who were of varying ages. The average age of the Founding Fathers was 42 or 43, with some in their twenties and others older. Benjamin Franklin, born in 1706, was the oldest at 70, while James Monroe was the youngest at 18. Four of the most influential delegates, Alexander Hamilton, Edmund Randolph, Gouvernor Morris, and James Madison, were in their thirties.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average age | 42-43 |
| Age range | 18-70 |
| Number of delegates | 55 |
| Number of signers | 56 |
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What You'll Learn
The average age of the 55 delegates was 42
The 55 delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention, also referred to as framers, had an average age of 42. Four of the most influential delegates—Alexander Hamilton, Edmund Randolph, Gouverneur Morris, and James Madison—were in their thirties. Interestingly, some of the Founding Fathers were quite young, with James Monroe being only 18 and Alexander Hamilton 21 at the time of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Robert R. Livingston, who was 29, was also among the younger signers.
Benjamin Franklin, born in 1706, was the oldest Founding Father at 70 years old. Thomas Jefferson, 33, and John Hancock, 39, were also among the older signers. The average age of the founders was around 43, with nearly half being lawyers and the rest primarily businessmen and planter-farmers.
The young age of some of the Founding Fathers highlights the energy and passion they brought to the founding of the nation. At the same time, the presence of older and more experienced individuals, such as Franklin, provided wisdom and guidance to the process. This combination of youth and experience among the delegates contributed to the richness and diversity of perspectives that shaped the Constitution.
The Constitutional Convention, therefore, brought together a diverse group of individuals who, despite their age differences, shared a common goal of creating a new nation and establishing a framework for its future. Their efforts and contributions, regardless of their age, continue to have a lasting impact on the United States and its democratic principles.
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Benjamin Franklin was the oldest signer at 70
The average age of the Founding Fathers of the United States was 43, with some being older, such as Thomas Jefferson at 33, John Hancock at 39, and Benjamin Franklin at 70. Benjamin Franklin, born in 1706, was the oldest signer of the Constitution at 70. This was at the upper end of the age range of the Founding Fathers, with some being in their twenties, such as James Monroe at 18 and Alexander Hamilton at 21.
Franklin was America's most senior diplomat from the start of the Revolutionary War through to the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1783. He was also one of the writers of the Federalist Papers, which advocated for the ratification of the Constitution.
The Constitutional Convention was remarkable in that the delegates were both young and experienced. The average age of the delegates was 42, with four of the most influential—Alexander Hamilton, Edmund Randolph, Gouvernor Morris, and James Madison—being in their thirties. Over half of the delegates were college graduates, with nine from Princeton and six from British universities.
Benjamin Franklin's age and experience as a Founding Father and diplomat contributed to the significance of the Constitutional Convention and the eventual ratification of the Constitution. His advanced age compared to some of the other Founding Fathers highlights the diversity of ages and experiences among those who shaped the early government of the United States.
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Four influential delegates were in their 30s
The average age of the Founding Fathers of the United States was 42 or 43, with some being older, such as Thomas Jefferson at 33, John Hancock at 39, and Benjamin Franklin, the oldest, at 70. Interestingly, four of the most influential delegates were in their 30s: Alexander Hamilton, Edmund Randolph, Gouvernor Morris, and James Madison. Hamilton, in particular, played a significant role in the early government of the United States. He was one of the authors of the Federalist Papers, which advocated for the ratification of the Constitution, and he also served as the first secretary of the treasury.
At the time of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, Hamilton was just 21 years old, highlighting the youth and energy of some of the Founding Fathers. James Monroe, another Founding Father, was only 18 years old at the time. The presence of younger delegates, such as Hamilton and Monroe, brought a unique perspective and energy to the Constitutional Convention, complementing the experience of the older delegates.
The Constitutional Convention, which took place in 1787, was remarkable for having delegates who were both young and experienced. This blend of youth and wisdom contributed to the dynamic and progressive nature of the gathering. The average age of 42, while slightly higher than the average age of the Founding Fathers overall, still indicates a relatively young group of individuals shaping the future of their nation.
The Founding Fathers came from diverse professional backgrounds, with nearly half being lawyers, and the rest primarily businessmen and planter-farmers. They also had extensive political experience at the national and state levels, which they brought to bear in the creation of the Constitution. The combination of their youth, energy, and experience resulted in a group of delegates who were well-equipped to establish the foundation of the United States.
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Some signers were in their 20s
The average age of the Founding Fathers was 43, with Benjamin Franklin being the oldest at 70 years old. However, some of the signers of the Constitution were in their 20s, and some were even teenagers. James Monroe, for example, was just 18, and Alexander Hamilton was 21. Robert R. Livingston was 29. These young men were full of energy and relied on their youth to counteract the experience of the older delegates. James M. Beck, a constitutional lawyer and later a US congressman, remarked in an address in 1902 that the Founding Fathers were "for the most part, young men".
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The youngest signer was 18-year-old James Monroe
The US Constitution was signed by 55 delegates, the average age of whom was 42 or 43 years. While the majority of the signers were in their forties, fifties, and sixties, there were a few who were in their twenties. The youngest of them all was James Monroe, who was only 18 years old at the time.
Monroe was a native of Virginia and had served as a lieutenant in the army. He was a hero at the Battle of Trenton, where he was sent across the Delaware River by George Washington to scout. He nearly died after being shot during the fight. Monroe studied law under Thomas Jefferson from 1780 to 1783 and practiced law in Fredericksburg, Virginia, after resigning from Congress in 1786. He served as a delegate to the Continental Congress and was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates. Monroe also served as an ambassador to France under President Washington, but was recalled due to his criticism of the Jay Treaty.
Monroe initially opposed the Constitution and was not present at the Constitutional Convention in 1787. He voted against it at the Virginia Ratifying Convention in 1788, wanting a stronger bill of rights. However, he eventually supported the document. Monroe went on to hold various important positions, including serving as President Thomas Jefferson's minister to France and England, and as President James Madison's secretary of state and secretary of war. He was elected president in 1817, winning 68% of the vote.
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Frequently asked questions
The average age of the 55 delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention was 42, with the average age of the founders being 43.
James Monroe was 18, and Alexander Hamilton was 21.
Benjamin Franklin was the oldest at 70. Thomas Jefferson was also one of the older signers at 33.
Yes, it has been noted that the Founding Fathers were considered young men, with four of the most influential delegates being in their thirties.
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