Eleanor Finch
The US Constitution was written by 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1787. These delegates were appointed by the original states, except Rhode Island, and were a diverse group, representing various backgrounds, ideologies, and experiences. The main authors of the Constitution were James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay, who were all delegates to the convention and played a leading role in drafting the document. Madison, often called the Father of the Constitution, provided extensive notes from the convention, which offered valuable insights into the debates and compromises that took place. Hamilton, another key figure, played a major role in shaping the Constitution's executive branch and advocating for a strong central government. George Washington, while not actively involved in drafting the text, presided over the convention, providing leadership and credibility to the process.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of writers | 55 writers |
| Popularly known as | Founding Fathers |
| First writers | George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and others |
| Committee of Detail | John Rutledge, Edmund Randolph, Nathaniel Gorham, Oliver Ellsworth, and James Wilson |
| Committee of Style | Alexander Hamilton, William Johnson, Rufus King, and Gouverneur Morris |
| Popularly known as | Father of the Constitution (James Madison) |
| Father of His Country (George Washington) |
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What You'll Learn
The Founding Fathers
The US Constitution was written by 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during the summer of 1787. The delegates were elected by the states to revise the Articles of Confederation, the country's first written constitution. However, they soon realised that the Articles were fundamentally flawed and decided to create an entirely new document. The drafting of the Constitution was a long and challenging process, with the delegates disagreeing on many important issues.
Among the Founding Fathers, a smaller group of men are often credited with writing the Constitution, including James Madison, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay. James Madison, often called the "'Father of the Constitution'", played a crucial role in crafting much of the document. His Virginia Plan, which called for three branches of government, a bicameral legislature, and proportional representation, served as a foundation for the Constitution. Alexander Hamilton was another key figure, advocating for a strong central government and shaping the Constitution's executive branch. John Jay, a lawyer and diplomat from New York, served as the first Chief Justice of the United States and played a key role in drafting Article III, which establishes the judicial branch.
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The Committee of Detail
The two preliminary drafts that survive, as well as the text of the Constitution submitted to the convention, were in the handwriting of Wilson or Randolph. The committee did not record its minutes, but it is known that they used the original Virginia Plan, the decisions of the convention on modifications to that plan, and other sources to produce the first full draft. Much of what was included in this draft consisted of details that hadn't been debated or included in any other plan before the convention. Most of these were uncontroversial and unchallenged, and as such, much of what Rutledge's committee included in this first draft made it into the final version of the Constitution without debate.
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The Committee of Style
The writers of the US Constitution are often referred to as the Founding Fathers. The Founding Fathers were a group of American leaders who played a pivotal role in the American Revolution and the founding of the United States.
The Committee of Detail was responsible for creating the first draft of the Constitution. The committee included five members: John Rutledge (South Carolina), Edmund Randolph (Virginia), Nathaniel Gorham (Massachusetts), Oliver Ellsworth (Connecticut), and James Wilson (Pennsylvania). The committee drafted a document based on the Virginia Plan, created by James Madison, which called for three branches of government, a bicameral legislature, and proportional representation in the legislature.
On September 8, 1787, a Committee of Style was formed to revise the text of the Constitution. The committee members were William Samuel Johnson, Alexander Hamilton, Gouverneur Morris, James Madison, and Rufus King. They were tasked with "revising the style and arranging the articles" of the Constitution. The Committee of Style's work resulted in the final form of the Constitution, which was ratified in 1788.
While the Committee of Style played a crucial role in finalizing the text of the Constitution, it is important to recognize the contributions of other individuals and committees, such as the Committee of Detail, as well as the broader context of the American Revolution and the founding of the United States in the creation of this important document.
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The Federalist Papers
The authorship of The Federalist Papers was initially a subject of debate, as the authors had published the essays anonymously. However, their identities were eventually established as Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay. Hamilton is believed to have written the majority of the essays, with Madison and Jay contributing significantly as well.
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The Bill of Rights
The writers of the US Constitution were its Founding Fathers, a group of 55 delegates from 12 states, ranging in age from 26 to 81. George Washington, revered as the "Father of His Country", presided over the convention. Benjamin Franklin, at 81, was the oldest delegate and had to be carried to sessions in a sedan chair. Other key figures include George Washington, James Madison, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, and Thomas Jefferson.
James Madison, often referred to as the "Father of the Constitution", was a driving force behind the convention and the drafting of the Constitution. Madison's extensive notes from the convention provide invaluable insights into the debates and compromises that took place. His Virginia Plan, which called for a strong central government and three branches of government, served as a foundation for the Constitution. Madison also wrote the Bill of Rights' amendments as a solution to limit government power and protect individual liberties through the Constitution.
The first ten amendments in the Bill of Rights include:
- Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
- A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
- No Soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
- The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
- The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
- The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
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Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution was written by 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during the summer of 1787. The main authors of the Constitution were James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay.
The writers of the Constitution are often referred to as the Founding Fathers or the Founders. They were a group of late-18th-century American revolutionary leaders who oversaw the War of Independence from Great Britain and established the United States of America.
Notable Founding Fathers include George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Gouverneur Morris.
