Eleanor Finch
The Framers of the American Constitution were visionaries who designed a constitution to endure. They sought to address the challenges facing the nation during their lifetimes and establish foundational principles to guide the new nation into an uncertain future. The 55 delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention are referred to as framers, and of these, 39 actually signed the Constitution. The three main Founding Fathers who framed the Constitution were John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Alexander Hamilton.
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What You'll Learn
John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Alexander Hamilton
John Adams, born in Braintree, Massachusetts, in 1735, was a lawyer and Patriot leader who played a pivotal role in the American Revolution. He was an early supporter of independence and knew that separation from Great Britain must be accompanied by the adoption of written constitutions. Adams was a Massachusetts delegate to both the First and Second Continental Congresses. In May 1776, two months before the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, Adams spearheaded the passage of a Resolution requesting each of the thirteen "United Colonies" to adopt its own new form of government. The Massachusetts Constitution, primarily drafted by Adams, was adopted in 1780. It was the first written constitution in the world and remains the oldest still-functioning written constitution today. After the adoption and ratification of the US Constitution, Adams became the first Vice President of the United States, serving from 1789 to 1797. He was then elected the second President of the United States, serving until 1801.
Benjamin Franklin, a printer, inventor, scientist, and statesman, was also a key figure in the creation of the US Constitution. Franklin, born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1706, played an influential role in the Revolutionary War and the fight for American independence. He was a proponent of the freedoms embodied in the First Amendment, particularly freedom of the press. At the Constitutional Convention of 1787, Franklin was the oldest delegate at 81 years old. He was instrumental in hammering out the "Great Compromise," which solidified elements of both the Virginia and New Jersey Plans by granting representation based on population in the House of Representatives and equal representation in the Senate. Franklin also delivered a influential speech at the end of the Convention, urging delegates to accept the document as the best that a collective body could craft.
Alexander Hamilton, a Founding Father, was only 30 years old when he served as one of New York's delegates at the Constitutional Convention. While his plan for a new form of government was not adopted, he played a role in creating the Constitution. He was also instrumental in the Constitution's ratification when he led the collaboration with James Madison and John Jay on the Federalist Papers—a collection of 85 articles and essays written to promote the ratification of the US Constitution.
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John Jay, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison
Thomas Jefferson, the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, was a leading advocate for democracy, republicanism, and natural rights. Born into the planter class in the Colony of Virginia, Jefferson received a comprehensive education, studying Latin, Greek, French, mathematics, philosophy, history, and science. He served as the first US Secretary of State under George Washington and the second vice president under John Adams. Jefferson's belief in individual rights, including freedom of thought, speech, and religion, played a pivotal role in shaping the ideological foundations of the revolution. He also collaborated with James Madison in drafting the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, guaranteeing freedom of religion and disestablishing the Church of England.
James Madison, born in 1751 into a prominent slave-owning planter family in Virginia, was an American statesman, diplomat, and Founding Father. He served as the fourth president of the United States from 1809 to 1817. Dissatisfied with the weak national government established by the Articles of Confederation, Madison played a pivotal role in drafting and promoting the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. He helped organise the Constitutional Convention, which produced a new constitution aimed at strengthening republican government against democratic assembly. Madison's political philosophy was profoundly influenced by Enlightenment liberalism and radicalism, shaping his theories on advancing civil and political liberty.
John Jay, alongside his contemporaries, played a significant role in shaping the early government of the United States. While the specific extent of his involvement in the Constitution is unclear, he undoubtedly contributed to the nation's foundational documents and political structure. Jay is known for his diplomatic skills and his role in the Continental Congress, working towards establishing a strong and unified nation.
These three individuals, through their efforts and contributions, helped lay the groundwork for the United States Constitution and the principles upon which the nation was built. Their influence extended beyond their lifetimes, shaping the course of American history and government.
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George Washington, James Wilson, and Gouverneur Morris
George Washington, the commander-in-chief of the American forces during the Revolutionary War and the first president of the United States, presided over the Constitutional Convention. He was committed to serving and played a key role in forging and framing the Constitution. Washington was instrumental in getting the work done, and his presence and support were crucial in the process.
James Wilson, a Pennsylvanian and Scottish founder, is considered by some scholars to be one of the most important framers of the Constitution. He played a significant role in drafting the Preamble and shaping the presidency and judiciary, including the Electoral College. He was also behind popular sovereignty and the Three-Fifths Compromise. Additionally, Wilson was a leading voice in convincing the Pennsylvania delegation to vote in favor of independence. After the Constitutional Convention, he was appointed to the Pennsylvania state ratifying convention and played a key role in the state's ratification of the Constitution. He also served as the first law professor at the College of Pennsylvania and was appointed to the Supreme Court by President Washington.
Gouverneur Morris, a New Englander, was also a key figure in the Constitutional Convention. Known as the "Penman of the Constitution," he was instrumental in creating the language and structure of the document. Morris served on two central committees, including the "Committee of Style and Arrangement," which was responsible for editing the final text. He was a powerful orator, delivering 173 speeches during the Convention, more than any other member. Morris also contributed to shaping the presidency, advocating for an energetic executive with sufficient powers to guard against legislative tyranny. He supported popular election over congressional election for the president to check the influence of the legislature.
While Washington, Wilson, and Morris made significant contributions to the framing of the Constitution, it is important to recognize that they were part of a larger group of delegates and founders who collectively shaped the foundation of the United States.
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Edmund Randolph, Roger Sherman, and Elbridge Gerry
Edmund Randolph
Edmund Randolph was from a prominent family in Virginia and was introduced to many influential men from an early age. Despite his father being a Loyalist during the American Revolution, Randolph joined the war effort as an aide-de-camp to General George Washington. After the war, Randolph served as Mayor of Williamsburg, a delegate to the Continental Congress, and eventually, Governor of Virginia. Although Randolph cared about strengthening the central government and attended the Constitutional Convention, he refused to sign the Constitution because he believed the government it outlined was too strong, calling it "the foetus of a monarchy."
Roger Sherman
Roger Sherman was a lawyer, politician, and Founding Father of the United States from Connecticut. Sherman established a legal career in Litchfield County, Connecticut, despite lacking a formal education beyond grammar school. He served in the Connecticut House of Representatives and as a justice of the Superior Court of Connecticut before being sent by Connecticut to the Continental Congress. Sherman was a member of the Committee of Five that drafted the Declaration of Independence, and he is the only person to sign all four great state papers of the United States: the Continental Association, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution. At 66 years old, he was the second eldest member of the Constitutional Convention, and he was one of the most active members, making motions or seconds 160 times.
Elbridge Gerry
Elbridge Gerry, a Founding Father, was born into a wealthy family in Marblehead, Massachusetts, and received his academic training at Harvard. During the early 1770s, he served in the colonial and Revolutionary legislatures, and during the American War for Independence, he served in the Continental Congress, where he signed the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation. Gerry is known for his opposition to the Constitution, which helped inspire the Bill of Rights. During his second term as governor of Massachusetts, he approved a controversial redistricting plan to favour the Republican Party, leading to the term "gerrymander."
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The Constitutional Convention and the Bill of Rights
The United States Constitution was drafted during the Constitutional Convention in 1787. The 55 delegates who attended the convention are referred to as framers, and of these, 39 signed the document. The delegates were appointed by the original states, except Rhode Island, which did not send any delegates.
The Constitutional Convention was tasked with addressing the weaknesses of the American political system, which Madison had outlined in a document titled "Vices of the Political System of the United States." Madison believed that a strong central government was the solution to America's problems, and that Congress needed compulsory taxation authority and the power to regulate foreign and interstate commerce. He also believed that there needed to be a way to enforce federal supremacy, such as through an explicit right of Congress to use force against non-compliant states and the creation of a federal court system.
The final draft of the Constitution was approved on September 17, with 11 states in favor and 13 delegates having left before it was completed. Three delegates who remained at the convention until the end refused to sign: Edmund Randolph and George Mason of Virginia, and Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts. These three dissenters demanded a Bill of Rights if they were to support the Constitution.
The Bill of Rights comprises the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution. It was proposed following the 1787-88 debate over the ratification of the Constitution and was written to address the objections raised by Anti-Federalists, who argued that the Constitution failed to safeguard individual liberties from the federal government. The amendments of the Bill of Rights add to the Constitution specific guarantees of personal freedoms, such as freedom of speech, the right to publish, practice religion, possess firearms, and assemble. The concepts codified in these amendments are built upon those in earlier documents, such as the Virginia Declaration of Rights (1776).
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Frequently asked questions
There were 55 framers of the US Constitution, not three. The three youngest were Jonathan Dayton (aged 26), James Madison, and Hugh Williamson.
The oldest framer was Benjamin Franklin, aged 81.
Yes, some of the notable framers of the US Constitution include George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Roger Sherman, and Gouverneur Morris.
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