Malcolm Rivera
The Framers of the US Constitution, also known as the Founding Fathers, were the 55 delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention in 1787. The delegates were appointed by the original states (except Rhode Island) and ranged in age from 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton to 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin. The Founding Fathers were political leaders who participated in the American Revolution, signed the Declaration of Independence, and established the Constitution. They included George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of individuals appointed to the Constitutional Convention | 70 |
| Number of individuals who did not accept or could not attend | 11 |
| Number of delegates | 55 |
| Number of delegates who signed the Constitution | 39 |
| Age range of delegates | 26-81 |
| Average age of delegates | 42 |
| Number of delegates with experience in the Continental Congress | 44 |
| Number of delegates with experience in colonial and state government | 54 |
| Number of biographies of Framers to be presented by 60-Second Civics | 55 |
| Number of Founding Fathers Papers projects | 181,000 |
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What You'll Learn
Who were the framers of the US Constitution?
The Framers of the US Constitution were delegates to the Constitutional Convention of 1787, tasked with revising the Articles of Confederation. Instead, they drafted a new constitution to replace the Articles. The original states, except Rhode Island, collectively appointed 70 individuals to the convention. However, only 55 delegates attended the sessions, and of those, only 39 actually signed the Constitution.
The delegates ranged in age from Jonathan Dayton, the youngest at 26, to Benjamin Franklin, the oldest at 81, who had to be carried to sessions in a sedan chair due to his infirmity. Most of the delegates were prominent in their states, and some had played important roles in the Revolution. Many had extensive political experience, with nearly all having experience in colonial and state government. They practised a wide range of high and middle-status occupations.
Notable delegates included Founding Fathers such as George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison. Other notable figures included James Wilson, Gouverneur Morris, Edmond Randolph, and Roger Sherman.
The Framers of the Constitution believed that "courage [was] the secret of liberty", and they were not timid men. They were steeped in a common-law tradition that presumed that just as reason, observation, and experience allow us to gain greater insight over time into various fields, so too would they enable a deeper understanding of the content and meaning of the principles enshrined in the Constitution.
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What was the purpose of the Constitutional Convention?
The Constitutional Convention, also known as the Federal Convention, the Philadelphia Convention, or the Grand Convention at Philadelphia, was a meeting of 55 delegates from 12 of the 13 original states (all except Rhode Island) that took place between May and September 1787. The purpose of the convention was to address the problems of the weak central government that existed under the Articles of Confederation and to revise the Articles.
The convention was held in the Pennsylvania State House, later renamed Independence Hall, in Philadelphia. The delegates, or representatives of the states, debated for months over what would be included in a new constitution. Some states favoured a strong central government, while others were opposed. Large states felt they should have more representation in Congress, while small states wanted equal representation with larger ones.
The delegates finally agreed to the "Great Compromise", also known as the Connecticut Compromise, which created a bicameral legislative branch. This gave equal representation to each state in the Senate and representation based on population in the House of Representatives. The convention also created an executive branch and a judicial branch, setting up a system of checks and balances to ensure that no one branch became more powerful than another.
The delegates also debated the role of the executive, including whether executive power should be divided among three people or vested in a single chief executive, how a president would be elected, the length and number of presidential terms, what offences should be impeachable, and whether judges should be chosen by the legislature or the executive. Slavery was also a contentious issue, with delegates debating the insertion of a fugitive slave clause, whether to allow the abolition of the slave trade, and whether slaves should be counted in proportional representation.
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Who were the notable framers?
The Framers of the Constitution, often referred to as the Founding Fathers, were a group of 55 delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention in 1787. The delegates ranged in age from 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton to 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin, who had to be carried to sessions in a sedan chair due to his infirmity.
Some of the most notable Framers include:
George Washington
Washington was the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army and later president of the Constitutional Convention. He is considered one of the Founding Fathers and is minted on American currency.
James Madison
Often called the "Father of the Constitution", Madison played a pivotal role in drafting the document and promoting the Bill of Rights. He is also known for his work on the Federalist Papers, which advocated for the ratification of the Constitution.
Benjamin Franklin
The oldest delegate, Franklin was known for his wisdom and diplomacy. He was one of the Founding Fathers and is featured on American currency.
Alexander Hamilton
Hamilton advocated for a strong central government and was a key author of the Federalist Papers. He is considered one of the Founding Fathers and is also minted on American currency.
Roger Sherman
Sherman proposed the Great Compromise, which helped shape the legislative structure of the Constitution.
James Wilson
Wilson played a significant role in drafting the Constitution and argued for the direct election of the President.
Gouverneur Morris
Morris is credited with writing the Preamble and much of the Constitution's final text.
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What were the key contributions of the framers?
The Framers of the US Constitution were visionaries who sought to address the specific challenges facing the nation during their lifetimes and establish foundational principles that would sustain and guide the new nation into an uncertain future. They understood that future generations would need to interpret and apply these principles in a changing society. The Constitution sets forth broad principles, such as "freedom of speech", "due process of law", "free exercise" of religion, "equal protection of the laws", and prohibitions on "cruel and unusual punishment". It also outlines the powers of the government in general terms, including the roles of Congress, the president, and the courts.
The Framers also considered how to protect the judiciary from populist influence. They established a nationwide system of courts, including a US Supreme Court, to protect the interests of the federal government and safeguard its political independence. The Framers also tried to insulate Congress from populist pressures by having senators selected by state legislators rather than directly elected by voters. They believed that state governments were too responsive to public opinion through direct elections, annual elections, small legislative districts, and weak executives without veto power.
The Framers of the Constitution were not unified in their beliefs and represented a range of perspectives. Ordinary and elite Americans, for example, had very different perspectives on debt relief measures. Debtor farmers believed such measures were sensible and necessary due to the severe economic contraction, while elites thought such measures were contrary to natural rights and terrible policy. They believed that the government was created to protect property, not redistribute it.
The Framers of the Constitution were assigned the task of revising the Articles of Confederation but instead drafted a new constitution. Notable delegates included George Washington, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, James Wilson, Gouverneur Morris, Edmund Randolph, and Roger Sherman. The delegates ranged in age from Jonathan Dayton, aged 26, to Benjamin Franklin, aged 81.
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What were the framers' beliefs and goals?
The Framers of the US Constitution were visionaries who designed the Constitution to endure and address the specific challenges facing the nation during their lifetimes. They also established foundational principles that would sustain and guide the new nation into an uncertain future. The text of the Constitution reflects this vision, defining fundamental freedoms in general terms such as freedom of speech, due process of law, free exercise of religion, equal protection of the laws, and the prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment. The Constitution also sets forth governmental powers, granting Congress the power to regulate commerce among the states and the president the duty to execute the laws faithfully.
The Framers' beliefs and goals were reflected in their values, concerns, and purposes, which must be considered as a set of general principles and aspirations rather than specific rules. They sought to create a just government, ensure peace, and secure national defence and a healthy, free nation. The Framers understood that future generations would need to interpret and apply these principles in a changing society. They recognised that the specific meaning of certain terms, such as "freedom of speech" and "due process of law," might not be precisely defined, leaving room for interpretation.
The Framers also believed in the courage to defend liberty and were steeped in a common-law tradition that valued learning and gaining greater insight over time. They intended for the Constitution to be adapted to the various crises of human affairs, recognising that the principles enshrined within it would remain constant even as society evolved. This understanding of the Framers' Constitution has influenced Supreme Court opinions, particularly regarding the protection of vulnerable groups and the exercise of constitutionally protected rights.
It is important to note that the Framers, or Founding Fathers, included 55 delegates present at the Constitutional Convention, 16 of whom did not sign the final document. The 39 signers of the Constitution ranged in age from 26 to 81, with notable figures including Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and James Wilson. There were conflicting opinions among the Framers, with some strongly disagreeing with parts of the Constitution and three refusing to sign it. Despite these differences, the Framers' overall goals and beliefs centred on establishing a framework for a just and enduring government that protected fundamental freedoms and guided the nation into the future.
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Frequently asked questions
The Framers of the US Constitution were the 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention in 1787. They were assigned the task of revising the Articles of Confederation but instead drafted a new constitution. The youngest was Jonathan Dayton, aged 26, and the oldest was Benjamin Franklin, aged 81.
The Founding Fathers of the United States were political leaders who participated in the American Revolution. They signed the Declaration of Independence, took part in the Revolutionary War, and established the Constitution. The main Founding Fathers were: John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and George Washington.
The National Archives has identified three founding documents as the Charters of Freedom: the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.
