Omar Bennett
John Langdon (1741–1819) was a state legislator, governor, and U.S. senator during the Revolutionary and early national period (1775–1812). He was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787 and subsequently one of the signatories of the U.S. Constitution. He was an ardent supporter of the drive to ratify the Constitution of the United States in New Hampshire, which was ratified by a vote of 57-47. He also served as president pro tempore of the U.S. Senate and counted the votes of the electoral college in the first presidential election.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Continental Congress member | 1775–1776, 1783–1784 |
| Continental Congress role | Member of its Marine Committee |
| Supervised | Beginnings of the Continental Navy |
| Delegate to | Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia (1787) |
| Signatory of | U.S. Constitution |
| Opponent of | James Madison's proposed "negative" on state laws |
| Supporter of | Drive to ratify the Constitution of the United States in New Hampshire |
| New Hampshire ratification of Constitution | 21 June 1788, by a vote of 57-47 |
| U.S. Senate member | 1789–1801 |
| U.S. Senate role | President pro tempore |
| New Hampshire Legislature member | 1777–1782, 1801–1805 |
| New Hampshire Legislature role | Speaker (last two terms) |
| Governor of New Hampshire | 1805–1812 (except 1809–1810) |
| Presidential candidate | Declined nomination in 1812 |
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What You'll Learn
John Langdon was a delegate at the Constitutional Convention in 1787
John Langdon was a delegate at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787. He was a prominent patriot in New Hampshire, and he helped represent the state at the convention. He was also a member of the Continental Congress in 1787 and became a representative to the Constitutional Convention that same year.
Langdon was a merchant, sailor, and politician before becoming a delegate at the convention. He was born in New Hampshire and later apprenticed himself as a merchant, finding great success and amassing a fleet of ships. He was hurt financially by British policies in the lead-up to the Revolutionary War, which led to his involvement in the war effort. During the war, he organized and financed expeditions against the British, including John Stark's expedition against British General John Burgoyne in 1777. He also participated in the Battles of Bennington, Saratoga, and Rhode Island.
After the war, Langdon was twice elected President of New Hampshire between 1785 and 1789, which was equivalent to the position of Governor at the time. As a delegate at the Constitutional Convention, Langdon helped debate, draft, and sign the United States Constitution. He was an ardent supporter of the drive to ratify the Constitution and, after it was adopted, he was elected to the United States Senate to represent New Hampshire in 1789. He served in the Senate until 1801 and was the first President Pro Tempore of the Senate from 1789 to 1793.
Langdon's contributions to the Constitutional Convention and his role in shaping the United States Constitution are commemorated in Philadelphia, where a statue of him can be found in the Signers' Hall exhibit of the National Constitution Center.
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He was a signatory to the US Constitution
John Langdon was a signatory to the US Constitution. He was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787 and played a role in the creation of the United States Constitution. He was also a member of the Second Continental Congress from 1775 to 1776 and served on its Marine Committee, which oversaw the early days of the Continental Navy.
Langdon was a prominent patriot in New Hampshire, and he helped to construct ships for the American forces during the Revolutionary War. He was an ardent supporter of the drive to ratify the Constitution in his home state. On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the document, with a vote of 57-47.
Following the adoption of the Constitution, Langdon was elected to the United States Senate, representing New Hampshire from 1789 to 1801. During his time in the Senate, he served as the first president pro tempore from 1789 to 1793 and again in the Second Congress. He also identified himself with the followers of Thomas Jefferson but declined any national office.
Langdon also served in various other political roles, including as a member of the New Hampshire Legislature from 1777 to 1782 and again from 1801 to 1805, with his last two terms as speaker. He was twice elected President of New Hampshire between 1785 and 1789, an equivalent position to the Governor of New Hampshire today. He also served as the actual Governor of New Hampshire from 1805 to 1809 and again from 1810 to 1812.
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Langdon was a US Senator from 1789-1801
John Langdon was a prominent figure in the early political history of the United States, serving as a US Senator from 1789 to 1801. During this period, he also served as the first president pro tempore of the US Senate from April 6, 1789, and held the same position in the Second Congress.
Langdon's political career began much earlier, however, with his election as a member delegate of the Second Continental Congress from 1775 to 1776, during which he served on the Marine Committee that oversaw the beginnings of the Continental Navy. He resigned from the Continental Congress in 1776 to become an agent for the Continental naval forces against the British, and he participated in several battles, including the Battle of Bennington and the Battles of Saratoga and Rhode Island.
In 1787, Langdon was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, where he represented New Hampshire and played a role in debating, drafting, and ultimately signing the United States Constitution. He was an ardent supporter of the drive to ratify the Constitution and, after its adoption, was elected to the US Senate to represent New Hampshire.
During his time in the Senate, Langdon identified himself with the followers of Thomas Jefferson but declined any national office. He was also a member of the New Hampshire Legislature from 1801 to 1805, serving as speaker in his last two terms. After his tenure in the US Senate, Langdon went on to serve as Governor of New Hampshire from 1805 to 1809 and again from 1810 to 1812. He declined the nomination to be a candidate for vice president in 1812 and retired from politics.
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He was the first President Pro Tempore of the US Senate
John Langdon was a prominent American politician who played a significant role in the early years of the United States. Born in 1741 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Langdon had a notable career as a state legislator, governor, and U.S. senator during the Revolutionary and early national periods.
One of his most notable contributions was his role as the first President Pro Tempore of the US Senate. The office of President Pro Tempore was established by the Constitution in 1789, and Langdon was elected to this position on April 6, 1789, serving four separate terms between 1789 and 1793. This position is of great importance, as the President Pro Tempore is the second-highest-ranking official of the Senate and is third in the line of succession to the presidency.
During his time as President Pro Tempore, Langdon presided over Senate sessions, signed legislation, and performed routine administrative tasks. The President Pro Tempore assumes additional responsibilities when the office of the vice presidency is vacant, which occurred on ten occasions between 1812 and 1889. Although the President Pro Tempore does not usually preside over the Senate daily due to the mundane and ceremonial nature of the position, they play a crucial role in the Senate's functioning and continuity.
Langdon's political career extended beyond his role as President Pro Tempore. He served as a member of the Continental Congress from 1775 to 1776 and again from 1783 to 1784, and he was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1787, where he was one of the signatories of the U.S. Constitution. He actively participated in the constitutional debates, advocating for a balance of power between the Senate and the House of Representatives. Langdon also served in the New Hampshire Legislature, the state senate, and as the governor of New Hampshire for several terms.
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Langdon was a Founding Father
John Langdon (1741-1819) was a Founding Father of the United States. He was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787 and a signatory of the U.S. Constitution. Langdon was an ardent supporter of the drive to ratify the Constitution and played a key role in ensuring its adoption in his home state of New Hampshire.
Langdon had a notable political career spanning several decades. He served as a member of the Continental Congress on multiple occasions (1775-1776, 1783-1784, and 1787) and was a member of its Marine Committee, which oversaw the beginnings of the Continental Navy. He also equipped and commanded expeditions against the British during the Revolutionary War, including the Battle of Bennington in Rhode Island's Saratoga.
After the war, Langdon was twice elected President of New Hampshire, serving from 1785 to 1786 and 1788 to 1789. This position was equivalent to the Governor of New Hampshire at the time. He then represented New Hampshire in the United States Senate from 1789 to 1801. During this time, he served as the first President Pro Tempore of the Senate from 1789 to 1793.
Back in his home state, Langdon served in the New Hampshire Legislature from 1801 to 1805, with his last two terms as speaker. He was then elected Governor of New Hampshire in 1805 but lost his re-election campaign in 1809. However, he won the election again in 1810 and served until 1812. Langdon declined the nomination to be a candidate for vice president in 1812 and subsequently retired from politics.
Langdon's contributions to the creation and ratification of the U.S. Constitution, as well as his various political roles, solidify his place as one of America's Founding Fathers. His efforts helped shape the foundation of the nation and its governing principles.
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Frequently asked questions
John Langdon was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787. He represented New Hampshire and helped to debate, draft and sign the United States Constitution.
After the newly ratified Constitution was adopted, Langdon was elected to the United States Senate to represent New Hampshire in 1789. He held his seat until 1801.
John Langdon is known for being a Founding Father of the United States. He was a state legislator, governor, and senator during the Revolutionary and early national period (1775–1812). He also served as president pro tempore of the U.S. Senate in 1789 and was the first to hold this position.
