Eleanor Finch
The United States Constitution was signed by 39 of the 55 delegates who attended the 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. The delegates' names are grouped by state and listed geographically from north to south. The signing of the Constitution was the culmination of a process that began with the convening of the Federal Convention in the same year. The Convention was called by a majority of delegates to Congress who agreed that the Articles of Confederation, which established the first national government, needed significant revisions. The final document was the result of intense debates and revisions, with several delegates expressing reservations about the Constitution but signing nonetheless.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of delegates chosen | 74 |
| Number of delegates attended | 55 |
| Number of delegates signed | 39 |
| Youngest signer | Jonathan Dayton, 26 years old |
| Oldest signer | Benjamin Franklin, 81 years old |
| State with no delegates | Rhode Island |
| Number of states represented | 12 |
| Date of adjournment | September 17, 1787 |
| Date of first draft | July 24, 1787 |
| Date of ratification | June 1788 |
| Date of new government | March 1789 |
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What You'll Learn
The signing ceremony
The signing of the United States Constitution took place on the final day of the Constitutional Convention, 17 September 1787. The convention's secretary, William Jackson, added a note verifying four amendments made by hand to the final document, and signed it to authenticate its validity.
Of the 74 delegates chosen to attend, 55 attended the sessions, but only 39 signed the Constitution. The delegates ranged in age from Jonathan Dayton, aged 26, the youngest signer, to Benjamin Franklin, aged 81, the oldest. Franklin, who was so infirm that he had to be carried to sessions in a sedan chair, delivered an address strongly endorsing the Constitution, which was read by James Wilson. He 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 this Constitution [...] because I expect no better and because I am not sure that it is not the best."
Several attendees left before the signing ceremony, and three of the 42 who remained refused to sign. Those who did not sign included Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts, George Mason of Virginia, and Randolph. Critics who shared their views preferred the decentralised nature of the Articles of Confederation as a check on the power of the central government.
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Delegates who didn't sign
The signing of the United States Constitution was the culmination of a long process that began with the calling of the Constitutional Convention in 1787. The original states, except Rhode Island, appointed 70 individuals to the Convention. Of these, 55 attended the sessions, but only 39 signed the Constitution.
Several delegates left before the signing ceremony, and three of the 42 who remained refused to sign. The delegates who did not sign the Constitution include Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts, Edmund J. Randolph of Virginia, and George Mason, also of Virginia. These delegates, dubbed "Anti-Federalists" by their opponents, preferred the decentralised nature of the Articles of Confederation as a check on the power of the central government.
Other individuals who did not accept or could not attend the Constitutional Convention include Richard Henry Lee, Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock.
The signing ceremony took place on September 17, 1787, and the document was carried to Congress in New York City by the convention's secretary, William Jackson. The Syng inkstand, used for the signing, had also been used eleven years earlier for the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
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The role of Rhode Island
Rhode Island played a unique role in the signing and ratification of the United States Constitution. It was the only state that refused to send delegates to the Constitutional Convention in 1787, with its residents favouring the decentralised nature of the Articles of Confederation. The state's large Quaker population was also offended by the Constitution's provisions on the slave trade.
Rhode Island's opposition to the Constitution was largely due to its concerns about direct federal taxes and the lengthy terms for members of Congress. The state had also issued paper money, which caused rampant inflation and was a concern for many Americans who wanted a new Constitution to ban it. As a result, Rhode Island was the only state that did not participate in the Convention's proceedings, and it did not initially ratify the Constitution.
Between September 1787 and January 1790, Rhode Island's legislature rejected 11 attempts to ratify the Constitution. The state continued to operate outside the new governmental structure, even after the First United States Congress proposed 12 amendments in September 1789. However, facing the threat of isolation from the Union and an embargo on trade with other states, Rhode Island finally capitulated and ratified the Constitution on May 29, 1790, by a narrow vote of 34 to 32.
The state's ratification included a lengthy list of caveats and proposed amendments, reflecting its ongoing desire to limit federal power and protect its own interests. Rhode Island's ratification marked the end of its efforts to defy the national government and its acceptance, albeit reluctant, of the new Constitution.
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The Syng inkstand
The inkstand was crafted by renowned silversmith Syng, who immigrated to America from Ireland in 1713. He created fine works in silver and gold for wealthy Philadelphia families and was an associate of Benjamin Franklin. Syng was also a prominent member of the Philadelphia community, assisting in the founding of the Library Company of Philadelphia, the American Philosophical Society, the Union Fire Company, and the University of Pennsylvania. In 1731, he served as Grand Master of Masons in Pennsylvania.
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The youngest and oldest signers
The signing of the United States Constitution occurred on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 39 delegates, out of the 55 who attended the Constitutional Convention, representing 12 states (all but Rhode Island, which did not send any delegates), endorsed the Constitution. The youngest signer of the Constitution was 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton. Benjamin Franklin, aged 81, was the oldest signer. Franklin was so infirm that he had to be carried to sessions in a sedan chair. He was the first signer to die, in April 1790, while James Madison was the last, dying in June 1836.
The delegates' ages ranged from 26 to 81. The signing ceremony was the culmination of a four-month-long convention that began on May 25, 1787, with delegates debating competing proposals for a new constitution. A Committee of Detail was selected to prepare a draft constitution, and the final report, the constitution's first draft, included 23 articles and a preamble. The document was revised during the process, with some portions being rephrased.
The convention's secretary, William Jackson, added a note to verify four amendments made by hand to the final document and signed it to authenticate its validity. The closing endorsement of the Constitution, conceived by Gouverneur Morris and presented by Franklin, was intentionally ambiguous to win over dissenting delegates. Franklin, despite his reservations about certain parts of the Constitution, accepted it, stating that he expected no better and was unsure if a better alternative existed.
The signing of the Constitution was a significant event in American history, as it established a new framework of government for the nation, replacing the Articles of Confederation, which had established the first national government. The Constitution expanded the powers of the central government while protecting the prerogatives of the states.
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Frequently asked questions
74 delegates were chosen, 55 attended and 39 signed.
The youngest signer was 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton and the oldest was 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin.
No, some expressed reservations but signed anyway, anticipating debates within their states. Three delegates, Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts, George Mason of Virginia, and Randolph, did not sign at all.
The signing served an authentication function, providing essential documentation of the Constitution's validity.
