Jonah Patel
The US Constitution is a handwritten document penned by Jacob Shallus, Assistant Clerk to the Pennsylvania General Assembly, in 1787. Shallus was paid $30 for his work, which was a considerable amount at the time. The document was written in Roundhand using iron gall ink and a quill, likely made from goose feathers. The original copy is on display in the Rotunda of the Charters of Freedom at the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C. Today, the teaching of cursive writing in schools is in decline, raising questions about the future legibility of such important handwritten documents.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Writer | Jacob Shallus |
| Date | September 16, 1787 |
| Time Taken | One day |
| Payment | $30 |
| Payment in 2024 value | $749 |
| Writing style | Roundhand |
| Writing instrument | Likely a goose quill |
| Ink | Iron gall ink |
| Paper | Four pieces of animal skin |
| Paper size | 28 3/4 inches by 23 5/8 inches |
| Location | Rotunda of the Charters of Freedom, National Archives Building, Washington, D.C. |
Explore related products
$12.99 $19.99
What You'll Learn
The US Constitution was written in Roundhand
The US Constitution is one of the most important documents in American history. It is a handwritten document that is still available for viewing behind glass in the upper level of the National Archives in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom. It was engrossed by Jacob Shallus, the Assistant Clerk to the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Shallus' name does not appear on the document, and he was paid $30 (equivalent to US$900 in 2022 and US$749 in 2024) for his work. The document was written on four pieces of parchment made from animal skin (calf, goat, or sheep) using iron gall ink and a quill, likely a goose quill.
The US Constitution was written in "Roundhand," a style of cursive writing with many varieties. The quill used to write the document contributed to the distinct style of the writing, with certain idiosyncrasies evident in the script. The document's physical characteristics, such as the line variance associated with Roundhand, would be challenging to replicate with most contemporary non-flexible writing instruments.
The choice to use a clerk to transcribe the Constitution was intentional. The delegates wanted the document to be well-written and legible. James Madison, one of the key note-takers and drafters, played a significant role in the Constitution's creation, but his handwriting skills were not considered adequate for the final product.
Today, the art of penmanship is declining in schools, with students prioritizing keyboarding skills over cursive writing. This shift has raised concerns about future generations' ability to read historical documents like the Constitution, which are written in older cursive styles.
The US Constitution is a testament to the importance of handwritten documents in history. The use of Roundhand, a style of cursive writing, contributes to the document's uniqueness and aesthetic appeal. The skill and precision required to produce such a well-written and legible document are a testament to the talents of Jacob Shallus, the engrosser or penman responsible for its transcription.
The 1851 Ohio Constitution: Addressing the State's Issues
You may want to see also
It was penned by Jacob Shallus, Assistant Clerk to the Pennsylvania General Assembly
The United States Constitution is penned in "Roundhand" and engrossed by Jacob Shallus, the Assistant Clerk to the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Shallus was the son of German immigrants, his father being an innkeeper named Valentine Schallus, and his mother, Frederica Catherina. Shallus had a brother, Thomas Shallus, who worked as a mapmaker. Shallus himself was a volunteer in the Revolutionary War, fighting in Canada after becoming a quartermaster of Pennsylvania's 1st Battalion in 1776. He also assisted in outfitting a privateering vessel called the Retrieve.
Shallus was paid $30 (equivalent to US$749 in 2024 or $900 when accounting for inflation) for his work on the Constitution, a sum recorded as for "clerks employed to transcribe & engross." He engrossed the entire document, except for the list of states at the end, which is in Alexander Hamilton's handwriting. The Constitution was written on four pieces of parchment made from animal skin (calf, goat, or sheep) using iron gall ink and a goose quill. Each sheet measured 28 3/4 inches by 23 5/8 inches, and Shallus is thought to have completed the work in a single day on September 16, 1787, an impressive feat for a document of around 4,000 words.
The original handwritten Constitution is still available for viewing in the Rotunda of the Charters of Freedom at the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C. The document is kept behind glass, allowing visitors to admire the words and the penmanship that has become a significant part of American history.
The choice to have a clerk transcribe the final document was intentional, as the delegates wanted it to be as well-written and legible as possible. While James Madison played a substantial role in the creation of the Constitution, it is Shallus' exceptional handwriting that graces the final pages. Today, students are less likely to learn this style of handwriting, as the focus has shifted to mastering keyboarding skills instead of the neat, standardized cursive of previous generations. However, the ability to read and write in cursive remains essential for understanding historical documents such as the Constitution.
The Constitution Ratification: A Nation Divided
You may want to see also
Shallus was paid $30 for his work, a considerable amount for the time
The United States Constitution was engrossed by Jacob Shallus, the Assistant Clerk to the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Shallus was paid $30 for his work, which was a considerable sum at the time. Shallus' handwriting was exceptional, and he is thought to have completed the document in just one day on September 16, 1787. The Constitution was written on four large pieces of parchment or animal skin using iron gall ink and a quill, likely made from a goose feather. The document contains around 4,000 words, which works out to about 1,000 words per page.
Shallus' $30 payment in 1787 would be worth a lot more today. Due to inflation, the value of a dollar has decreased over time. Calculations for inflation put the value of $30 in 1787 at around $900 in modern money. However, this figure may vary depending on the source. Some sources estimate the value of $30 in 1787 to be $790.71 in 2017, which is an increase of $760.71 over 230 years. Others estimate the value to be $1,031.61 in 2025, an increase of $1,001.61 over 238 years. This amount is also comparable to £6,021.15 in the UK in 2025, demonstrating the significant change in value over time.
The payment of $30 to Shallus for his work on the US Constitution was, therefore, a substantial sum of money at the time. His beautiful handwriting and efficient work in transcribing the document in a single day contributed to the importance and impact of the US Constitution in American history.
Shallus' handwriting style has been described as "Roundhand," which was popular during that time period. The use of a quill, likely made from a goose feather, contributed to the unique characteristics of his handwriting. The quill allowed for the quintessential line variance associated with Roundhand, which would be difficult to achieve with contemporary writing instruments.
The US Constitution is one of the most important documents in American history, and Shallus' role as the scribe who physically wrote out the clauses should not be understated. While James Madison is often credited as the writer of the Constitution due to his substantial role as a note-taker, drafter, and influential figure, it was Shallus' exceptional penmanship that brought the document to life.
Legislative Branch: Qualifications and Requirements for Membership
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The document is written on four pieces of animal skin
The United States Constitution is a historical document that holds immense significance in American history. It is a handwritten document penned on four pieces of parchment made from animal skin, each sheet measuring 28 by 23 inches. The choice of using animal skin for such an important document was deliberate and symbolic, reflecting the value placed on the content within.
The use of animal skin, also known as parchment, has a long history in the creation of significant documents. Before the widespread use of paper, animal skin provided a durable and long-lasting writing surface. The process of preparing animal skin for writing was a meticulous task, involving treating the skin with various substances to create a smooth and suitable surface for writing. This laborious process was often undertaken by skilled craftsmen, ensuring the final product was of the highest quality.
In the case of the United States Constitution, the four pieces of animal skin were carefully prepared to ensure their longevity. The skin was most likely sourced from calf, goat, or sheep, as these were common animals used for parchment production during that era. The specific type of animal skin used for each sheet may vary, as the supervising conservator at the National Archives in 1987 commented that they could not determine the exact animal source for each sheet.
The process of writing on animal skin presented unique challenges. The surface of the skin is naturally uneven, and the writer had to work with its natural grain. The constitution was most likely written with a goose quill, requiring careful handling to achieve the precise line variance associated with the "Roundhand" style of writing. The iron gall ink used to write the document has also changed over time, starting as black but gradually turning brownish.
Today, the original handwritten Constitution is carefully preserved and displayed in the Rotunda of the Charters of Freedom at the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C. Visitors can view the document behind glass, admiring the intricate handwriting and the enduring quality of the animal skin that has stood the test of time.
Constitutional Republics: How Many Nations Embrace This Form?
You may want to see also
Cursive writing is no longer taught in schools
Cursive handwriting has traditionally been used for signatures and is the style of handwriting used in many important historical documents, including the US Constitution. The US Constitution was engrossed by Jacob Shallus, an Assistant Clerk to the Pennsylvania General Assembly, in "Roundhand," a type of cursive. James Madison, one of the key note-takers and drafters of the Constitution, was long assumed to be the writer of the final document, but the duty of writing out the clauses went to Shallus, who was chosen for his exceptional penmanship.
In recent years, the teaching of cursive in schools has declined. In 2010, the newly formed Common Core State Standards for English initiative in the US removed cursive handwriting instruction from the required curriculum for K-12 education. This decision reflected the increasing use of laptops and tablets, which have replaced paper in many settings, making keyboarding skills more important for students to learn.
The removal of cursive from school curricula has sparked debates about the potential benefits that may be lost. Some argue that learning cursive improves brain development in language and working memory areas. It also helps with writing fluency, as young writers may forget the end of their sentence before they finish printing when writing in print. Additionally, the ability to read cursive allows individuals to access and understand historical documents and family records directly, rather than relying on a small group of trained translators and experts to interpret the information.
Despite its removal from standard curricula, some students still express an interest in learning cursive and take it upon themselves to do so. Some teachers also continue to use cursive in the classroom to make their notes more private and less prone to prying eyes.
US Constitution: A Global Inspiration for Democracy
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution is written in Roundhand, a type of cursive.
James Madison is known as the writer of the US Constitution, but the duty of physically writing out the clauses went to Jacob Shallus, a clerk.
The US Constitution was written on four pieces of animal skin, likely made from calf, goat, or sheep.
