Isabella Carter
The Founding Fathers of the United States, often referred to as the Framers of the Constitution, were a group of 55 delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention in 1787. These men were political leaders who participated in the American Revolution and united the Thirteen Colonies. They oversaw the War of Independence from Great Britain and established the United States of America, signing the Declaration of Independence and crafting a framework for the government of the new nation. The Founding Fathers were well-educated and prominent in their respective states, with extensive political experience. Notable Framers of the Constitution include George Washington, James Madison, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, Roger Sherman, James Wilson, Gouverneur Morris, and Edmund Randolph.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of framers | 55 |
| Age range | 26 (Jonathan Dayton) to 81 (Benjamin Franklin) |
| Average age | 42 |
| Occupations | Physicians, ministers, planters, land surveyors, colonels, printers, publishers, scientists, inventors, postmaster generals, diplomats, governors, lawyers, soldiers, educators, writers, politicians, and more |
| Religious affiliations | 28 Anglicans, 21 other Protestants, 3 Catholics |
| Education | Varied; some were self-taught or learned through apprenticeship, others had private tutors or attended academies or colleges |
| Notable framers | George Washington, James Madison, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, Roger Sherman, James Wilson, Gouverneur Morris, Edmund Randolph, and others |
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What You'll Learn
Who were the Founding Fathers?
The Founding Fathers of the United States, also known as the Framers of the Constitution, were a group of 55 delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention in 1787. They were late-18th-century American revolutionary leaders who united the Thirteen Colonies, oversaw the War of Independence from Great Britain, and established the United States of America. The Founding Fathers include those who wrote and signed the United States Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution of the United States. They also included certain military personnel who fought in the American Revolutionary War and others who played important roles in the Revolution.
The Founding Fathers had strong educational backgrounds, with about half of them having attended or graduated from college, while others were largely self-taught or learned through apprenticeships. They practised a wide range of high and middle-status occupations, with many being well-educated and prosperous. All were prominent in their respective states, with over 70% serving in Congress when the convention was proposed. The delegates ranged in age from Jonathan Dayton, aged 26, to Benjamin Franklin, aged 81, who was so infirm that he had to be carried to sessions in a sedan chair.
Some of the most notable Founding Fathers include George Washington, who presided over the convention and was the nation's first president; James Madison, often called the "Father of the Constitution" for his role in drafting the document; Benjamin Franklin, the oldest delegate, known for his wisdom and diplomacy; Alexander Hamilton, a key author of the Federalist Papers; Roger Sherman, who proposed the Great Compromise; James Wilson, who played a significant role in drafting the Constitution; and Gouverneur Morris, who wrote the Preamble and much of the Constitution's final text.
Other Founding Fathers include John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, John Jay, and Patrick Henry.
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What was their role in the American Revolution?
The 55 Framers of the Constitution, also known as the Founding Fathers, were a group of late-18th-century American political leaders who played a significant role in the American Revolution. They were appointed by the original states (except Rhode Island) to represent their interests at the Constitutional Convention in 1787. These individuals were chosen for their extensive political experience and prominence within their respective states.
The Founding Fathers were united in their desire to free the Thirteen Colonies from British rule and establish the United States of America. They actively participated in the Revolutionary War and oversaw the War of Independence. Many of them had served in the Continental Congress and held experience in colonial and state government.
Several Founding Fathers were directly involved in drafting the Declaration of Independence, which formally asserted the colonies' right to govern themselves and break away from British rule. This group included John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, and Alexander Hamilton. Franklin, Adams, and Jay also played a crucial role in negotiating the Treaty of Paris in 1783, which officially ended the American Revolutionary War and recognised American independence.
Additionally, the Founding Fathers laid the groundwork for the nation's government. They drafted and signed the United States Constitution, which provided a framework for the country's governance. Notably, 39 of the 55 delegates signed the Constitution. The Founding Fathers also included military personnel such as George Washington, who served as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War and later became the first president of the United States.
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Who were some of the notable Framers?
The Founding Fathers of the United States were a group of late-18th-century American revolutionary leaders who united the Thirteen Colonies, oversaw the War of Independence from Great Britain, established the United States of America, and crafted a framework of government for the new nation. The Founding Fathers include those who wrote and signed the United States Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution of the United States.
The Constitutional Convention in 1787 was attended by 55 delegates, who were a cross-section of 18th-century American leadership. The vast majority were well-educated and prosperous, and all were prominent in their respective states. Four of the Founding Fathers are minted on American currency: Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington.
George Washington was a Virginia planter and a land surveyor before becoming a colonel in the Virginia Regiment. He was commander-in-chief of the Continental Army and later became the first president of the United States. Washington was also president of the Constitutional Convention.
Benjamin Franklin was a successful printer, publisher, scientist, and inventor in Philadelphia. He served as a member of the Continental Congress, first postmaster general, minister to Great Britain, France, and Sweden, and governor of Pennsylvania.
John Adams began his political career as a town council member in Braintree, outside Boston. He gained wider attention following a series of essays he wrote during the Stamp Act crisis of 1765. In 1770, he was elected to the Massachusetts General Assembly, went on to lead Boston's Committee of Correspondence, and in 1774, was elected to the Continental Congress. Adams, along with Franklin and John Jay, negotiated the 1783 Treaty of Paris, which established American independence and brought an end to the American Revolutionary War.
Alexander Hamilton wrote the Federalist Papers, which advocated for the ratification of the Constitution, along with James Madison and John Jay.
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What were their occupations?
The 55 framers of the US Constitution were a diverse group of individuals with a range of occupations and backgrounds. The vast majority were well-educated and prosperous, and all were prominent figures in their respective states. Here is a breakdown of their occupations:
Lawyers
About half of the framers were lawyers, including Alexander Hamilton, who later became the first US Secretary of the Treasury. Legal expertise was crucial in drafting the complex language of the Constitution.
Planters and Farmers
Around one-sixth of the framers were planters or farmers, including George Washington, who was a Virginia planter before becoming a colonel in the Virginia Regiment.
Merchants and Businessmen
Another one-sixth of the framers were merchants or businessmen. These individuals brought an understanding of economic matters and trade to the Constitutional Convention.
Physicians
Ten of the framers were physicians, including Josiah Bartlett, Lyman Hall, and Benjamin Rush. Their medical expertise may have been valuable in a time when healthcare was still developing.
Military Personnel
Some of the framers had military backgrounds, including George Washington, who was the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army and played a crucial role in the American Revolution. Their experience in warfare and strategic thinking influenced the framing of the Constitution.
Political Leaders
Many of the framers were political leaders with extensive experience in colonial and state governments. For example, Benjamin Franklin served as the first postmaster general, minister to Great Britain, France, and Sweden, and governor of Pennsylvania.
It is worth noting that some framers had multiple occupations or transitioned between different roles throughout their lives, contributing to a diverse range of perspectives during the Constitutional Convention.
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How were they educated?
The 55 framers of the US Constitution were a group of late-18th-century American revolutionary leaders who united the Thirteen Colonies, oversaw the War of Independence from Great Britain, and established the United States of America. They were highly educated and experienced, with an average age of 42. Four of the most influential delegates—Alexander Hamilton, Edmund Randolph, Gouvernor Morris, and James Madison—were in their thirties. Over half of the delegates graduated from college, with nine from Princeton and six from British universities. Twenty-eight were Anglicans, 21 were other Protestants, and three were Catholics.
Many of the framers had extensive political experience. Eight signed the Declaration of Independence, 25 served in the Continental Congress, 15 helped draft the new State Constitutions between 1776 and 1780, and 40 served in the Confederation Congress between 1783 and 1787. Ten of the framers were physicians, and one, John Witherspoon, was a minister.
Benjamin Franklin, for example, was a successful printer and publisher, as well as an accomplished scientist and inventor in Philadelphia. Franklin retired at age 42 to focus on scientific pursuits and then politics and diplomacy, serving as a member of the Continental Congress, first postmaster general, minister to Great Britain, France, and Sweden, and governor of Pennsylvania. George Washington, on the other hand, was a Virginia planter and a land surveyor before becoming a colonel in the Virginia Regiment. He was also commander-in-chief of the Continental Army and later president of the Constitutional Convention.
The framers of the Constitution were not only well-educated but also highly experienced in various fields, including politics, science, and the military. They brought this experience to the Constitutional Convention, where they worked together to establish the foundational principles that would guide the newly formed United States of America.
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Frequently asked questions
The Founding Fathers of the United States were a group of 18th-century American revolutionary leaders who united the Thirteen Colonies, oversaw the War of Independence from Great Britain, established the United States of America, and crafted a framework for the new government.
The Framers of the Constitution, often referred to as the Founding Fathers, were a group of 55 delegates who attended the Constitutional Convention in 1787.
Some of the most notable Framers include George Washington, James Madison, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, Roger Sherman, James Wilson, Gouverneur Morris, and Edmund Randolph.
The men who attended the Constitutional Convention were initially assigned the task of revising the Articles of Confederation. Instead, they drafted a new constitution to replace the Articles.
The 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention represented a cross-section of 18th-century American leadership. The vast majority were well-educated and prosperous, and all were prominent in their respective states. Many had extensive political experience, with over 70% serving in the Congress when the convention was proposed.
