Eleanor Finch
Benjamin Franklin, born in Boston, Massachusetts, on January 17, 1706, was a man of many talents. He was a printer, an inventor, a scientist, a statesman, a diplomat, a writer, a publisher, a social activist, and a lifetime champion of the First Amendment freedoms, particularly freedom of the press. He played an influential role in the Revolutionary War era and the fight for American independence. He was also a signatory to the Declaration of Independence, the Treaty of Paris, peace with Britain, and the Constitution. In this paragraph, we will explore Benjamin Franklin's role as a signer of the Constitution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Signing of the United States Constitution | 17th September 1787 |
| Place | Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Age | 81 |
| Health | Poor health, gout, kidney stone |
| Role | Addressed the convention, attempted to introduce daily common prayer, helped shape the U.S. Constitution |
| Signing | Signed the Constitution |
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What You'll Learn
- Benjamin Franklin was the oldest signer of the US Constitution at 81 years old
- He was a strong advocate for the abolition of slavery
- He was the only person to sign the Declaration of Independence, Treaty of Paris, peace with Britain, and the Constitution
- He was the first signer to die, in April 1790
- He was a champion of First Amendment freedoms, particularly freedom of the press
Benjamin Franklin was the oldest signer of the US Constitution at 81 years old
Benjamin Franklin, one of the United States' most renowned and respected Founding Fathers, played a significant role in the formation of the nation. Among his many accomplishments, one notable fact often stands out: he was the oldest signer of the US Constitution at the impressive age of 81 years old. This remarkable feat is made even more extraordinary when considering the era in which Franklin lived and the challenges he faced in his later years.
Born in 1706, Franklin had already led a full and remarkable life by the time the Constitutional Convention took place in 1787. He had successfully established himself as a printer, author, scientist, inventor, and statesman. He had also served as a delegate to the Second Continental Congress, where he was a key figure in drafting and signing the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Despite his advanced age, Franklin remained actively involved in the political affairs of the emerging nation.
At 81, Franklin was not only the oldest delegate but also one of the most respected. His wisdom and experience were highly valued by the other Founding Fathers, who often sought his counsel. Despite suffering from gout and other health issues, Franklin persevered through the hot and humid Philadelphia summer, attending the Convention and contributing his insights and ideas. He is famously quoted as saying, "We must, indeed, all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately," emphasizing the importance of unity among the colonies.
Franklin's presence at the Constitutional Convention was not merely symbolic. He actively participated in the debates and discussions, offering amendments and providing valuable input. He is known to have proposed the inclusion of a clause promoting religious freedom, reflecting his own beliefs and values. Additionally, Franklin's support for a strong central government and his compromise on the issue of representation helped shape the final document. His signature on the Constitution, along with those of the other Founding Fathers, stands as a testament to his dedication to the creation of a unified and prosperous nation.
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He was a strong advocate for the abolition of slavery
Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and the only person to sign the Declaration of Independence, the Treaty of Paris, peace with Britain, and the Constitution. In his later years, he became a vocal abolitionist and served as President of the Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery.
Franklin's views on slavery changed significantly during his time in London. He had benefited financially from the slave trade early in his life, and he brought two enslaved Africans with him to London in 1757. However, by the 1780s, his perspective had shifted, and he became an outspoken critic of slavery. He wrote and published several essays in 1789, including an "Address to the Public," in which he condemned slavery as an "atrocious debasement of human nature" and called for resources to support emancipated people in society, such as education and employment.
In 1787, Franklin helped write a new constitution for the Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery, and he became the president of the organization that same year. The society, originally formed in 1775 in Philadelphia, advocated not just for the abolition of slavery but also for the integration of freed slaves into American society. Franklin's last public act was a petition to Congress on behalf of the society, in which he pleaded to "cut the cancer of slavery out of the American body politic" and grant liberty "to those unhappy men who alone in this land of freedom are degraded into perpetual bondage."
In addition to his written works and leadership roles, Franklin also made personal appeals to influence others to support the abolition of slavery. On September 17, 1787, he gave a speech aimed at convincing three delegates who had refused to sign the Constitution—Gerry, Randolph, and Mason—to abandon their opposition. Franklin acknowledged his own evolving stance, saying, "I confess that 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 have often and often, in the course of the session, and the vicissitudes of my hopes and fears as to its issue, looked at that [rising sun emblem on the chair of the Convention's president], without being able to tell whether it was rising or setting: but now at length, I have the happiness to know, that it is a rising and not a setting sun." Despite Franklin's efforts, Gerry, Randolph, and Mason still refused to sign.
Benjamin Franklin's advocacy for the abolition of slavery was courageous and impactful, and it continues to inspire those who strive for equality and justice.
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He was the only person to sign the Declaration of Independence, Treaty of Paris, peace with Britain, and the Constitution
Benjamin Franklin, born in Boston, Massachusetts, on January 17, 1706, is remembered as a man of many talents. He was a printer, an inventor, a scientist, and a statesman who played an influential role in the Revolutionary War era and the fight for American independence. Franklin earned the title of "The First American" for his early and passionate campaigning for colonial unity. He was also a strong advocate for the abolition of slavery and the protection of the rights of American aboriginal people.
Franklin was the only person to sign the Declaration of Independence, the Treaty of Paris, peace with Britain, and the Constitution. He was 81 years old when he signed the Constitution, making him the oldest delegate to attend the Constitutional Convention of 1787. Despite his advanced age and poor health, Franklin played a crucial role in convincing critics to accept the Constitution. He delivered a speech, read by James Wilson, strongly endorsing the Constitution despite its imperfections. Franklin's conciliatory voice was instrumental in hammering out the landmark "Great Compromise," which solidified elements of both the Virginia and New Jersey Plans by granting representation based on population in the House of Representation and equal representation in the Senate.
On September 17, 1787, 39 delegates representing 12 states endorsed the Constitution at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This endorsement included signatures, a declaration of the delegates' work completion, and a statement of the document's adoption by the states present. Franklin summed up the sentiments of those who signed, acknowledging that while there were parts of the Constitution he did not approve of, he accepted it because he "expected no better."
Franklin's legacy extends beyond his role in shaping the Constitution. He was also celebrated throughout Europe, welcomed in Royal Courts, and sought out by prestigious societies. He was a prolific writer, with over 30,000 letters and documents collected in The Papers of Benjamin Franklin. He has been honored on the $100 bill, in the names of warships, towns, counties, educational institutions, and corporations, as well as in numerous cultural references.
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He was the first signer to die, in April 1790
Benjamin Franklin, born in Boston, Massachusetts, on 17 January 1706, was a man of many talents. He was a printer, an inventor, a scientist, a statesman, a writer, a publisher, a diplomat, a legislator, and a social activist. He was also one of the United States' Founding Fathers.
Franklin was a key figure in the American Revolution and the fight for American independence. He was a strong advocate for the abolition of slavery and the protection of the rights of American aboriginal people. He also played a crucial role in the rebellion against Great Britain, including service to Jefferson in editing the Declaration of Independence.
Franklin was the oldest delegate to attend the Constitutional Convention of 1787, at 81 years old. He was in poor health at the time, suffering from gout and a kidney stone. Despite this, he delivered a speech and made a motion related to the form of the signing, which passed 10-1.
Franklin 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." He accepted the Constitution, despite its imperfections, and was the oldest person to sign it.
Franklin was the first signer of the Constitution to die, in April 1790, at the age of 84. He died from a pleuritic attack at his home in Philadelphia. His death was mourned by the Constitutional Assembly in Revolutionary France, which entered a three-day period of mourning. Franklin's funeral was attended by approximately 20,000 people, after which he was interred in Christ Church Burial Ground in Philadelphia.
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He was a champion of First Amendment freedoms, particularly freedom of the press
Benjamin Franklin was a signer of the US Constitution, and at 81, he was the oldest delegate to attend the convention. He was also the first signer to die, in April 1790. Franklin was a strong advocate for the abolition of slavery and the protection of the rights of American aboriginal people. He also played a crucial role in the rebellion against Great Britain, including service to Jefferson in editing the Declaration of Independence.
Franklin was a man of many talents, including printing, inventing, statesmanship, and science. He was also a lifetime champion of First Amendment freedoms, particularly freedom of the press. Even before the First Amendment existed, Franklin advocated for the freedoms it embodied. His brother, James, published the first independent newspaper in the colonies, the New England Courant, where Franklin published his first article at age 12. Franklin's organisational skills and belief in the importance of forming voluntary associations to benefit society made voluntarism an enduring part of the American ethos.
Franklin's influence on the First Amendment was not limited to his advocacy for freedom of the press. He also fought for freedom of speech and religious freedom. In 1728, he formulated a presentation of his beliefs, which included a rejection of key Puritan ideas regarding salvation and the divinity of Jesus. Instead, he classified himself as a deist, while still considering himself a Christian. He retained a strong faith in a God who acted as a wellspring of morality and goodness in man and played a role in American independence.
At the Constitutional Convention in 1787, Franklin attempted to introduce the practice of daily common prayer, believing that it could help resolve impasses. However, his proposal was ultimately unsuccessful. Despite this, Franklin's influence on the First Amendment and his advocacy for freedom of the press played a significant role in shaping the US Constitution and the new nation's vision.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Benjamin Franklin was a signer of the Constitution. He was the oldest delegate to sign the Constitution at 81 years old.
Benjamin Franklin was a celebrated figure in Europe and the United States. His support for the Constitution was influential in gaining the support of critics. Franklin was also a champion of First Amendment freedoms, particularly freedom of the press.
Benjamin Franklin signed the Constitution on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Thirty-eight men signed thirty-nine names, with Benjamin Franklin being the first signer to die in April 1790.
Benjamin Franklin played an influential role in the creation of the Constitution. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1787 and helped to shape the vision for the new nation. Franklin was also responsible for hammering out the "Great Compromise", which solidified elements of both the Virginia and New Jersey Plans.
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