Eleanor Finch
The Founding Fathers of the United States include those who wrote and signed the United States Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution of the United States. George Washington, John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison are typically counted as Founding Fathers, but none of them signed the Declaration of Independence. Two of America's Founding Fathers, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, did not sign the Constitution as they were working as diplomats in France and Great Britain, respectively.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Founding Fathers who did not sign the Constitution | 33 |
| Names of Founding Fathers who did not sign the Constitution | Richard Henry Lee, Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Samuel Adams, John Hancock, George Washington, John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison |
| Number of individuals appointed to the Constitutional Convention | 70 |
| Number of delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention | 55 |
| Number of delegates who signed the Constitution | 39 |
| Age range of the delegates | 26–81 |
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What You'll Learn
- Richard Henry Lee, Patrick Henry, and Thomas Jefferson did not attend the convention
- John Adams, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock did not sign
- George Washington, John Jay, and Alexander Hamilton were Founding Fathers who did not sign the Declaration of Independence
- James Madison was not present but was a close friend of Jefferson
- Benjamin Franklin, aged 81, was the oldest signatory
Richard Henry Lee, Patrick Henry, and Thomas Jefferson did not attend the convention
The founding fathers of the United States were individuals who played critical roles in the country's formation during the American Revolution and the establishment of the federal government. Three notable founding fathers who did not sign the Constitution were Richard Henry Lee, Patrick Henry, and Thomas Jefferson.
Richard Henry Lee, a born aristocrat from Virginia, actively participated in key events during the Revolutionary War. He protested the Stamp Act in Virginia in 1765, served on the committee that appointed George Washington as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army in 1775, and introduced the motion that led to the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Despite his involvement in the Continental Congress, Lee distrusted a strong national government and feared the loss of states' rights and power. As a result, he opposed the ratification of the Constitution, believing it was not the solution to the country's governmental issues.
Patrick Henry, another prominent figure from Virginia, is known for his powerful oratory and political leadership. He began practising law in 1760 and gained prominence through his victory in the Parson's Cause against the Anglican clergy. Henry served in the Virginia House of Burgesses and strongly opposed the Stamp Act of 1765. In 1774, he was elected as a delegate to the First Continental Congress, where he helped draft and signed the Petition to the King. Henry played a significant role in urging independence and served on the committee responsible for drafting the Virginia Declaration of Rights and the original Virginia Constitution. Despite his influence, Henry generally opposed the ratification of the Federal Constitution, criticising it from a state-level perspective.
Thomas Jefferson, the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, also did not attend the Constitutional Convention. Jefferson's contributions to the founding of the nation are significant, as he penned the document that declared America's independence from Great Britain. He worked closely with other founding fathers, such as Patrick Henry, and his ideas influenced the writing of state constitutions in the 18th and 19th centuries.
It is important to note that while these three individuals did not sign the Constitution, they made invaluable contributions to the formation of the United States and the development of its governing principles. Their absence from the Constitutional Convention reflects their differing views on the role of the federal government and the importance they placed on state-level governance.
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John Adams, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock did not sign
John Adams, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock were all Founding Fathers of the United States who did not sign the Constitution. John Adams was a leader of the American Revolution and the second president of the United States from 1797 to 1801. He was also the first vice president of the United States, serving from 1789 to 1797. As a diplomat, Adams played a crucial role in negotiating a peace treaty with Great Britain and securing important governmental loans. He was also a primary author of the Massachusetts Constitution in 1780, which influenced the United States Constitution. However, despite his significant contributions to the founding of the nation, Adams did not attend the Constitutional Convention and did not sign the Constitution.
Samuel Adams, on the other hand, was a prominent figure in the lead-up to the American Revolution and played a key role in shaping the political landscape of the time. He was a delegate from Massachusetts appointed to the committee to draft the Articles of Confederation, which emphasised state sovereignty. Adams signed the Articles of Confederation in 1778, but they were not fully ratified until 1781. While he supported the Constitution and worked to ensure its ratification in Massachusetts, Samuel Adams did not sign the Constitution himself.
John Hancock, another influential Founding Father, is known for his large and stylish signature on the United States Declaration of Independence. He served as the president of the Continental Congress and was the first and third governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Hancock also signed the Articles of Confederation and played a crucial role in ensuring Massachusetts' ratification of the United States Constitution in 1788. However, despite his support for the Constitution, Hancock did not sign the document himself.
The absence of these three Founding Fathers' signatures on the Constitution can be attributed to various reasons. John Adams, for example, was involved in foreign affairs as a senior diplomat in Europe during the latter part of the Revolutionary War and the early years of the new nation. Samuel Adams, while supportive of the Constitution, may have been occupied with other political responsibilities or simply not in attendance at the Constitutional Convention. John Hancock, despite his influence and support, also did not attend the Convention, and thus, their signatures are notably absent from this important document.
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George Washington, John Jay, and Alexander Hamilton were Founding Fathers who did not sign the Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence is a document that was signed by 56 delegates, with their names being released to the public in January 1777. While the Founding Fathers are often associated with the creation of this document, not all of them were present to sign it. Notably, George Washington, John Jay, and Alexander Hamilton, who are considered Founding Fathers, did not sign the Declaration of Independence.
George Washington, a Founding Father and the Commander of the Continental Army, was not present to sign the Declaration of Independence due to his defence of New York City in July 1776. Despite not signing the document, Washington played a crucial role in the American Revolution. He read the Declaration of Independence to the army on July 9, 1776, as instructed by John Hancock.
John Jay, another Founding Father, also did not sign the Declaration of Independence. Jay served as a delegate to the Continental Congress in 1775-1776 and later became its President. However, he was recalled by his home state before the Declaration was signed. While Jay initially favoured reconciliation over rebellion, his views evolved during the American Revolution, and he became increasingly radical.
Alexander Hamilton, a close associate of George Washington, was also absent when the Declaration of Independence was drafted, approved, and signed. At just 19 years old in the summer of 1776, Hamilton was with the Continental Army in New York City. While he may have wished to be present for the signing, he was committed to his military duties.
It is worth noting that the absence of these three Founding Fathers from the signing of the Declaration of Independence does not diminish their significant contributions to the formation and early years of the United States of America. They played pivotal roles in shaping the nation's political landscape and its pursuit of independence.
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James Madison was not present but was a close friend of Jefferson
Although James Madison was not present for the signing of the Constitution, he was a key figure in the founding of the United States and a close friend of Thomas Jefferson. Their friendship began in 1776 during the framing of the Virginia Constitution. Jefferson, drawn to Madison's intellect, passion for religious freedom, and curiosity, became a mentor and lifelong friend to Madison. Over time, their relationship evolved into one of the most influential collaborations in American history.
James Madison, often regarded as the "Father of the United States Constitution," played a significant role in the nation's founding despite his absence during the signing. He served as the fourth President of the United States and was the youngest delegate at 29 years old when he became a delegate to the Continental Congress four years later. Madison's longevity—surviving the second and third presidents, Adams and Jefferson—led many to believe he had inside knowledge of the events surrounding the Declaration of Independence, even though he was not a signatory.
Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States, was also unable to attend the Constitutional Convention. Both Jefferson and Madison were among several individuals appointed by the original states who did not accept or could not attend, including Richard Henry Lee, Patrick Henry, John Adams, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock.
The friendship between Madison and Jefferson was symbolized by a leather Campeche chair, allegedly gifted by Jefferson to Madison. The chair, embossed with an eagle, a symbol of American independence since 1782, was said to be Madison's favorite seat in the house. It now sits in the James Madison Museum of Orange County Heritage, a testament to their enduring friendship and collaboration in shaping the course of American history.
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Benjamin Franklin, aged 81, was the oldest signatory
Franklin was a writer, scientist, inventor, statesman, diplomat, printer, publisher, and political philosopher. He was also one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He earned the title of "The First American" for his early and passionate campaigning for colonial unity. He was the only person to sign the Declaration of Independence, the Treaty of Paris, peace with Britain, and the Constitution.
Franklin's career in politics began with his appointment as clerk of the Pennsylvania Assembly in 1736. He served as an emissary and ambassador for many years, honing skills that would later serve him well during the Constitutional Convention. Franklin was a moderate who always sought ways to bring contending parties together. He was instrumental in hammering out the landmark "Great Compromise," which solidified elements of both the Virginia and New Jersey Plans by granting representation on the basis of population in the House of Representation and equal representation in the Senate.
At the end of the Convention, Franklin delivered a persuasive speech, urging delegates to accept the document as the best that a collective body could craft. As the delegates signed the Constitution, Franklin optimistically professed his belief in the rising sun of the new nation.
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