Isabella Carter
The United States Constitution was signed by 39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention, representing 12 of the 13 states. The signing took place on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The delegates ranged in age from 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton to 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin, who was carried to sessions in a sedan chair due to his infirmity. The signatures of the delegates served as an endorsement of the Constitution and included a brief declaration that their work had been successfully completed. While some delegates chose not to sign the Constitution due to concerns about its lack of a Bill of Rights, the signatures of those who did served as a show of support and endorsement from their respective states.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of delegates selected to attend the Constitutional Convention | 74 |
| Number of delegates who participated in the convention | 55 |
| Number of delegates who dropped out | 13 |
| Number of delegates who refused to sign | 3 |
| Number of delegates who signed the Constitution | 39 |
| Age of the youngest signer | 26 (Jonathan Dayton) |
| Age of the oldest signer | 81 (Benjamin Franklin) |
| Date of signing | 17 September 1787 |
| Location of signing | Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Number of states represented | 12 |
| Number of states that ratified the Constitution | 9 |
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What You'll Learn
Who refused to sign the US Constitution?
The US Constitution was not signed into effect. Instead, it was ratified by the states, with nine of the 13 states needing to ratify it for it to become law. Of the 55 delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention, 39 signed the Constitution.
Several delegates at the convention decided not to sign the document to signal their concerns about its power without a Bill of Rights. The three delegates who remained at the convention but refused to sign were Edmund Randolph and George Mason—both from Virginia—and Elbridge Gerry from Massachusetts. Randolph declared:
> In refusing to sign the Constitution, I take a step which might be the most awful of my life, but it is dictated by my conscience, and it is not possible for me to hesitate, much less, to change.
Gerry also explained his refusal to sign, stating:
> Mr. Chairman—I think it my duty to make some remarks on the constitution, and to give the reasons that have influenced me on the occasion. I do not think it a perfect one, nor do I think any human work can be perfect, but I think, sir, that it is the best that we can obtain under our circumstances.
Other delegates who chose not to sign included William L. Pierce, John F. Mercer, William C. Houston, John Lansing, Jr., and William R. Davie.
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Who were the youngest and oldest signers?
When the United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, the youngest signer was Jonathan Dayton, who was 26 years old at the time. Dayton, born in 1760 in New Jersey, was a delegate from his home state and had previously served in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. He went on to have a notable political career, serving in the House of Representatives and later in the United States Senate. Unfortunately, financial difficulties and a controversial land deal tarnished his reputation, and he died in relative obscurity in 1824.
In contrast, the oldest signer of the Constitution was Benjamin Franklin, who was 81 years old when he added his signature to the document. Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, was born in 1706 and had a long and illustrious career as a writer, scientist, and diplomat before the Constitutional Convention. Despite his advanced age, Franklin actively participated in the debates and discussions, and his wisdom and experience were highly respected by the other delegates. Franklin is known for his many contributions to the founding of the nation, including his work on the Declaration of Independence and his role as America's first postmaster general.
The age difference between Dayton and Franklin highlights the range of ages among the signers of the Constitution. It also showcases the diversity of experiences and perspectives that were brought to bear on the creation of this foundational document. While Dayton represented a new generation of leaders emerging in the early years of the nation, Franklin, with his decades of wisdom and insight, embodied the wisdom and experience of the Revolutionary era.
It is also worth noting that the average age of the signers of the Constitution was around 40 years old. This suggests that, while the document benefited from the energy and idealism of youth as well as the wisdom of age, the majority of the signers were in the prime of their lives, bringing a balance of maturity and vigor to the task of crafting the framework for a new nation. The Constitution, with its careful checks and balances, reflects the thoughtful deliberation of a diverse group of individuals united by a common goal: to form a more perfect union.
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What were the signing states?
The signing of the United States Constitution took place on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 39 of the 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the document, representing 12 states. Rhode Island did not send any delegates to the convention.
The 39 signatories, including George Washington, who presided over the convention, and Benjamin Franklin, who made the final motion to sign the document, endorsed the Constitution and provided a brief declaration stating that their work had been successfully completed. The signatories also included a formulaic dating of the document's adoption and a statement of the document's adoption by the states present.
The delegates who signed the Constitution represented a cross-section of 18th-century American leadership, with experience in local, colonial, or state government. Virtually all of them had participated in the American Revolution; seven had signed the Declaration of Independence, and thirty had served on active military duty.
The signing of the Constitution was a significant event in American history, as it laid out the framework for the nation's federal government and delineated the functions of its three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. The document has stood the test of time, with few amendments, and continues to be a remarkable achievement in human history.
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What were the reasons for signing?
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Of the 74 delegates chosen, 55 attended the convention, and 39 signed the Constitution. The delegates represented 12 states, with Rhode Island refusing to send delegates.
The reasons for signing the Constitution were varied, but a key motivation was the desire to establish a strong and stable federal government for the young nation. The Articles of Confederation, America's first constitution, had limited power and lacked enforcement capabilities, which led to concerns about the country's stability. The new Constitution aimed to address these issues by outlining the structure and functions of the three branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial.
Another reason for signing the Constitution was the hope for unanimous support from the states. The delegates recognised the difficulty of obtaining the consent of all states, so they sought to present a united front to increase the likelihood of adoption. Benjamin Franklin, one of the oldest signers at 81 years old, played a crucial role in this effort. Despite having reservations about certain parts of the Constitution, Franklin endorsed it and encouraged other delegates to do the same as witnesses to the unanimous consent of the states.
Additionally, many of the signers had personally experienced the American Revolution, with seven having signed the Declaration of Independence and at least 29 serving in the Continental forces. This revolutionary experience influenced their decision to sign the Constitution, as they sought to secure the freedoms and ideals for which they had fought.
The Constitution also addressed pressing issues of the time, such as disputes over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade. By signing the document, the delegates hoped to resolve these conflicts and create a framework that would guide the nation's governance.
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What were the signing procedures?
The signing of the United States Constitution took place on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The signing procedure was as follows:
Firstly, the 39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention, representing 12 states (all except Rhode Island, which did not send delegates), endorsed the Constitution. This endorsement included signatures, a declaration that their work had been completed, and a statement that those signing subscribed to the final document. The endorsement also included a formulaic dating of its adoption and a statement pronouncing the document's adoption by the states present.
Secondly, the convention's secretary, William Jackson, added a signed note to verify four amendments made by hand to the final document, authenticating its validity.
Thirdly, the signatures were grouped by state, with the listing of states arranged geographically from north to south. George Washington, as president of the Convention, signed first.
It is worth noting that 74 individuals were initially selected to attend the Constitutional Convention, but only 55 delegates participated, and of those, 39 signed. Several attendees left before the signing ceremony, and three of the 42 who remained refused to sign. One delegate, John Dickinson, was ill and authorised George Read to sign on his behalf.
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Frequently asked questions
39 delegates signed the Constitution.
26-year-old Jonathan Dayton was the youngest signer.
Benjamin Franklin, aged 81, was the oldest signer.
The signing took place at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
