Founding Fathers: The Men Behind The Constitution

The United States Constitution was written by 55 delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787. These delegates, also known as the Framers of the Constitution, came from 12 states and met to discuss improvements to the Articles of Confederation. The delegates included merchants, manufacturers, shippers, bankers, financiers, physicians, small farmers, and a minister. Many were landowners, and most were comfortably wealthy. Several of the delegates had also served in the Continental forces during the Revolution. While all 55 delegates are considered Framers of the Constitution, only 39 actually signed the document.

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The 55 delegates were from 12 states

The 55 delegates who wrote the U.S. Constitution came from 12 states. They met in Philadelphia in 1787 to discuss improvements to the Articles of Confederation. However, they ended up creating a new system of government. The delegates made decisions and compromises on issues such as how to elect a president, fair representation in Congress, and the role of slaves in the population. This was all accomplished in just over 100 days.

Rhode Island did not send any delegates to the convention. The remaining 12 states originally appointed 70 representatives, but some did not accept or could not attend, leaving 55 delegates to craft the document. Almost all of these 55 framers had participated in the Revolution, and around 75% had been members of the Confederation Congress. Many had also been members of the Continental Congress during the Revolution, and several had been state governors.

The delegates represented a range of occupations and backgrounds. More than half were lawyers, and several were judges. Other delegates included merchants, manufacturers, shippers, bankers, financiers, physicians, small farmers, and a minister. Many were landowners, and most were comfortably wealthy. George Washington and Robert Morris, for example, were among the wealthiest men in the country.

Of the 55 delegates, 39 ended up signing the Constitution. The delegates ranged in age from 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton to 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin, who was so infirm that he had to be carried to sessions in a sedan chair.

39 delegates signed the Constitution

The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 55 delegates attended the sessions of the Constitutional Convention, but only 39 delegates signed the Constitution. The delegates represented 12 states, with Rhode Island being the only state that did not send any delegates.

The 39 signatories to the Constitution endorsed the document created during the four-month-long convention. The endorsement included a declaration that the delegates' work had been completed and that they subscribed to the final document. The convention's secretary, William Jackson, added a note verifying four amendments made to the document and signed to authenticate its validity.

The 55 delegates who crafted the Constitution are considered its Framers. Of those who signed, almost all had participated in the American Revolution, with 30 having served on active military duty. Several had served in the Continental Congress during the Revolution, and many had served in colonial or state governments. Most of the delegates were comfortably wealthy, and over half had trained as lawyers, with several having been judges.

The delegates ranged in age from 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton to 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin, who was so unwell that he had to be carried to sessions in a sedan chair. Franklin summed up the sentiments of those who signed the Constitution, acknowledging that while there were parts of the document he did not approve of, he accepted it because he "expected no better" and hoped it would endure.

Many delegates were lawyers, judges, or politicians

The 55 delegates who wrote the U.S. Constitution were considered the Framers of the Constitution. They were from 12 states and met at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787. The delegates ranged in age from 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton to 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin.

Many of the delegates were lawyers, judges, or politicians. More than half of the delegates had trained as lawyers, and several had been judges. Some had served in state governments, and several had been state governors. Many had been members of the Continental Congress during the Revolution, and almost all had taken part in the Revolution, with at least 29 having served in the Continental forces, most in positions of command.

The delegates included George Washington, who was unanimously elected president of the Constitutional Convention. Although he originally did not want to be involved with the creation of the Constitution, his presence provided a sense of focus and direction. He helped oversee the debate and ensured that his vision for a stronger union was realised.

Another key player was James Madison, who was known as the "father of the Constitution". He came well-prepared for all arguments against the creation of a new government. After the Constitution was written and signed, he wrote the Federalist Papers with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay. These 85 essays explained the significance of the Constitution and persuaded states to ratify it.

Other notable delegates included James Wilson, who desired a single executive, not a committee, with absolute veto power to overturn laws created by the legislature. William Paterson, who was born in Ireland and immigrated to America as a child, introduced the concept of a unicameral legislature, also known as the Paterson Plan.

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Some delegates were slave owners

The 55 delegates who wrote the Constitution came from 12 states and met at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787. Of these, at least 25 owned slaves, including all of the delegates from Virginia and South Carolina. This is unsurprising, given that slavery was widespread in the states at the time of the convention.

The delegates were appointed by the original states (except Rhode Island, which did not send any delegates) and included merchants, manufacturers, shippers, land speculators, bankers, financiers, physicians, small farmers, and a minister. Many of the delegates were landowners with substantial holdings, and most were comfortably wealthy. George Washington and Robert Morris, for example, were among the wealthiest men in the country.

The delegates ranged in age from Jonathan Dayton, at 26, to 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin, who was so infirm that he had to be carried to sessions in a sedan chair.

The delegates created a new American government, making decisions and agreeing on compromises on serious issues such as how to elect a president, how people could be fairly represented in Congress, and how slaves would factor into the population. All of this was accomplished in little more than 100 days.

In the end, only 39 of the 55 delegates signed the Constitution.

The delegates' ages ranged from 26 to 81

The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was attended by 55 delegates, who are collectively regarded as the Framers of the Constitution. The delegates' ages ranged from 26 to 81. Jonathan Dayton, aged 26, was the youngest delegate, while Benjamin Franklin, aged 81, was the oldest. Franklin was so infirm that he had to be carried to the sessions in a sedan chair.

The average age of the delegates was 42, and four of the most influential delegates—Alexander Hamilton, Edmund Randolph, Gouvernor Morris, and James Madison—were in their thirties. James Madison, often referred to as the "father of the Constitution," played a pivotal role in the convention. He diligently prepared rebuttals to counter arguments against the formation of a new government. Following the signing of the Constitution, Madison collaborated with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay to author the Federalist Papers, a collection of 85 essays elucidating the significance of the Constitution to garner support for its ratification.

The delegates represented a diverse range of professions and backgrounds. More than half of them had legal training, with several having served as judges. Other delegates included merchants, manufacturers, shippers, land speculators, bankers, financiers, physicians, small farmers, and a minister. Many of the delegates were well-educated, with over half holding college degrees, including nine from Princeton and six from British universities.

The delegates also varied in their personal experiences and perspectives. Almost all of them had participated in the Revolution, with at least 29 having served in the Continental forces, mostly in command positions. Additionally, a significant number of delegates had experience in government, with most having served in colonial or state governments during their careers. Several delegates had also served as state governors.

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