The Founding Fathers of the United States, also known to some Americans as the Fathers of Our Country, the Forefathers, Framers or the Founders are the men who signed the Declaration of Independence, United States Constitution or otherwise participated in the American Revolution as leaders of the Patriots. The Founders were characterized, as a group, by remarkable intellectual ability, foresight and public-spiritedness. U.S. Declaration of Independence The Declaration of Independence is a document in which the Thirteen Colonies declared themselves independent of the Kingdom of Great Britain and explained their justifications for doing so. ... Page I of the Constitution of the United States of America Page II of the United States Constitution Page III of the United States Constitution Page IV of the United States Constitution The Syng inkstand, with which the Constitution was signed The Constitution of the United States is the supreme... Before the Revolution: The 13 colonies are in red, the pink area was claimed by Great Britain after the French and Indian War, and the orange region was claimed by Spain. ... This article concerns Patriots in the American Revolution. ...

Constitutional Convention delegates: an overview

The 55 delegates who attended the United States Constitutional Convention were a distinguished body of men who represented a cross section of 18th-century American leadership. Almost all of them were well-educated men of means who were dominant in their communities and states, and many were also prominent in national affairs. Virtually every one had taken part in the Revolution; at least 29 had served in the Continental forces, most of them in positions of command. This article discusses the history of the United States Constitution. ... (17th century - 18th century - 19th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 18th century refers to the century that lasted from 1701 through 1800. ... The Continental Army was the unified command structure of the thirteen colonies fighting Great Britain during the American Revolutionary War. ...

Political experience

The group, as a whole, had extensive political experience. At the time of the convention, four-fifths, or 41 individuals, were or had been members of the Continental Congress. Mifflin and Gorham had served as president of the body. The only ones who lacked congressional experience were Bassett, Blair, Brearly, Broom, Davie, Dayton, Alexander Martin, Luther Martin, George Mason, McClurg, Paterson, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Strong, and Yates. Eight men (Clymer, Franklin, Gerry, Robert Morris, Read, Sherman, Wilson, and Wythe) had signed the Declaration of Independence. Six (Carroll, Dickinson, Elbridge Gerry, Gouverneur Morris, Robert Morris, and Sherman) had affixed their signatures to the Articles of Confederation. But only two, Sherman and Robert Morris, underwrote all three of the nation's basic documents. Practically all of the 55 delegates had experience in colonial and state government. Dickinson, Franklin, Langdon, Livingston, Alexander Martin, Randolph, Read, and Rutledge had been governors, and the majority had held county and local offices. Gov. ... Contrarian Founding Father Luther Martin Luther, Martin (February 9, 1748–July 8, 1826) was a politician and one of United States Founding Fathers, but refused to sign the Constitution because he felt it violated states rights. ... An etching of George Mason George Mason (December 11, 1725 – October 7, 1792) was a United States patriot, statesman, and delegate from Virginia to the U.S. Constitutional Convention. ... Charles Cotesworth (C.C.) Pinckney (February 5, 1746- August 16, 1825), was an American statesman born in Charleston, South Carolina, the son of Charles Pinckney (and second cousin to Governor Charles Pinckney), by his second wife, the celebrated planter, Eliza Lucas. ... Elbridge Gerry (July 17, 1744 – November 23, 1814) was an American politician, a member of the Democratic-Republican Party. ... Gouverneur Morris Gouverneur Morris (January 31, 1752–November 8, 1816), an American statesman, represented Pennsylvania in the Constitutional Convention of 1787 and was author of large sections of the Constitution of the United States, including its preamble. ... Robert Morris, Jr. ...

Occupations

The delegates practiced a wide range of occupations, and many pursued more than one career simultaneously. Thirty-five were lawyers or had benefited from legal training, though not all of them relied on the profession for a livelihood. Some had also become judges.

At the time of the convention, 13 individuals were businessmen, merchants, boaters, or shippers: Blount, Broom, Clymer, Dayton, Fitzsimons, Gerry, Gilman, Gorham, Langdon, Robert Morris, Pierce, Sherman, and Wilson. Six were major land speculators: Blount, Dayton, Fitzsimons, Gorham, Robert Morris, and Wilson. Eleven speculated in securities on a large scale: Bedford, Blair, Clymer, Dayton, Fitzsimons, Franklin, King, Langdon, Robert Morris, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, and Sherman. Twelve owned or managed slave-operated plantations or large farms: Bassett, Blair, Blount, Butler, Carroll, Jenifer, Mason, Charles Pinckney, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Rutledge, Spaight, and Washington. Madison also owned slaves. Broom and Few were small farmers.

Nine of the men received a substantial part of their income from public office: Baldwin, Blair, Brearly, Gilman, Jenifer, Livingston, Madison, and Rutledge. Three had retired from active economic endeavors: Franklin, McHenry, and Mifflin. Franklin and Williamson were scientists, in addition to their other activities. McClurg, McHenry, and Williamson were physicians, and Johnson was a university president. Baldwin had been a minister, and Williamson, Madison, Ellsworth, and possibly others had studied theology but had never been ordained.

A few of the delegates were wealthy. Washington and Robert Morris ranked among the nation's most prosperous men. Carroll, Houston, Jenifer, and Mifflin were also extremely well-to-do. Most of the others had financial resources that ranged from good to excellent. Among those with the most straitened circumstances were Baldwin, Brearly, Broom, Few, Madison, Paterson, and Sherman, though they all managed to live comfortably.

A considerable number of the men were born into leading families: Blair, Butler, Carroll, Houston, Ingersoll, Jenifer, Johnson, Livingston, Mifflin, Gouverneur Morris, both Pinckneys, Randolph, Rutledge, Washington, and Wythe. Others were self-made men who had risen from humble beginnings: Few, Franklin, Gorham, Hamilton, and Sherman.

Geographic and educational background

Most of the delegates were natives of the 13 colonies. Only eight were born elsewhere: four (Butler, Fitzsimons, McHenry, and Paterson) in Ireland, two (Davie and Robert Morris) in England, one (Wilson) in Scotland, and one (Hamilton) in the West Indies. Reflecting the mobility that has always characterized American life, many of them had moved from one state to another. Sixteen individuals had already lived or worked in more than one state or colony: Baldwin, Bassett, Bedford, Dickinson, Few, Franklin, Ingersoll, Livingston, Alexander Martin, Luther Martin, Mercer, Gouverneur Morris, Robert Morris, Read, Sherman, and Williamson. Several others had studied or traveled abroad. Betsy Ross purportedly sewed the first American flag with 13 stars and 13 stripes representing each of the 13 colonies. ... Royal motto: Dieu et mon droit (French: God and my right) Englands location within the UK Official language English de facto Capital London de facto Largest city London Area - Total Ranked 1st UK 130,395 km² Population - Total (mid-2004) - Density Ranked 1st UK 50. ... Royal motto: Nemo me impune lacessit (Latin: No one provokes me with impunity) Scotlands location within the UK Languages with Official Status1 English Scottish Gaelic Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow First Minister Jack McConnell Area - Total - % water Ranked 2nd UK 78,782 km² 1. ... The Caribbean or the West Indies is a group of islands in the Caribbean Sea. ...

The educational background of the Founding Fathers was diverse. Some, like Franklin, were largely self-taught and had received scant formal training. Others had obtained instruction from private tutors or at academies. About half of the individuals had attended or graduated from college in the British North American colonies or abroad. Some men held advanced and honorary degrees. For the most part, the delegates were a well-educated group.

Longevity and family life

For their era, the delegates to the convention (like the signers of the Declaration of Independence) were remarkably long-lived. Their average age at death was almost 67. Johnson reached the age of 92, and Few, Franklin, Madison, Williamson, and Wythe lived into their eighties. Fifteen or sixteen (depending on Fitzsimmon's exact age) passed away in their eighth decade, and 20 or 21 in their sixties. Eight lived into their fifties; five lived only into their forties, and two of them (Hamilton and Spaight) were killed in duels. The first to die was Houston in 1788; the last, Madison in 1836.

Most of the delegates married and raised children. Sherman fathered the largest family, 15 children by 2 wives. At least nine (Bassett, Brearly, Johnson, Mason, Paterson, Charles Cotesworth, Pinckney, Sherman, Wilson, and Wythe) married more than once. Four (Baldwin, Gilman, Jenifer, and Alexander Martin) were lifelong bachelors. In terms of religious affiliation, the men mirrored the overwhelmingly Protestant character of American religious life at the time and were members of various denominations. Only two, Carroll and Fitzsimons, were Roman Catholics. A few were not particularly religious. Some were even appalled at organized religion: http://www.theology.edu/journal/volume2/ushistor.htm.

Post-convention careers

The delegates' subsequent careers reflected their abilities as well as the vagaries of fate. Most were successful, although seven (Fitzsimons, Gorham, Luther Martin, Mifflin, Robert Morris, Pierce, and Wilson) suffered serious financial reverses that left them in or near bankruptcy. Two, Blount and Dayton, were involved in possibly treasonous activities. Yet, as they had done before the convention, most of the group continued to render outstanding public service, particularly to the new government they had helped to create.

Washington and Madison became President of the United States, and King and Charles Cotesworth Pinckney were nominated as candidates for the office. Gerry served as Madison's Vice President. Hamilton, McHenry, Madison, and Randolph attained Cabinet posts. Nineteen men became U.S. senators: Baldwin, Bassett, Blount, Butler, Dayton, Ellsworth, Few, Gilman, Johnson, King, Langdon, Alexander Martin, Gouverneur Morris, Robert Morris, Paterson, Charles Pinckney, Read, Sherman, and Strong. Thirteen served in the House of Representatives: Baldwin, Carroll, Clymer, Dayton, Fitzsimons, Gerry, Gilman, Madison, Mercer, Charles Pinckney, Sherman, Spaight, and Williamson. Of these, Dayton served as Speaker. Four men (Bassett, Bedford, Brearly, and Few) served as federal judges, four more (Blair, Paterson, Rutledge, and Wilson) as Associate Justices of the Supreme Court. Rutledge and Ellsworth also held the position of Chief Justice. Seven others (Davie, Ellsworth, Gerry, King, Gouverneur Morris, Charles Pinckney, and Charles Cotesworth Pinckney) were named to diplomatic missions for the nation.

Many delegates held important state positions, including governor (Blount, Davie, Franklin, Gerry, Langdon, Livingston, Alexander Martin, Mifflin, Paterson, Charles Pinckney, Spaight, and Strong) and legislator. And most of the delegates contributed in many ways to the cultural life of their cities, communities, and states. Not surprisingly, many of their sons and other descendants were to occupy high positions in American political and intellectual life.

List of Founding Fathers

William Samuel Johnson (October 7, 1727 - November 14, 1819) was a politician and one of United States Founding Fathers. ... Gunning Bedford, Jr. ...  John Dickinson John Dickinson (November 13, 1732–February 14, 1808), the Penman of the Revolution, was a conservative Philadelphia lawyer, known for urging reconciliation instead of revolution, for which he was later vilified. ... Richard Bassett (April 2, 1745–August 15, 1815) was a politician and one of United States Founding Fathers. ... Jacob Broom (October 17, 1752–April 25, 1810) was a delegate to the U.S. Constitutional Convention and a signer of the U.S. Constitution from Delaware. ... William Few (June 8, 1748—July 16, 1828) was an American politician and a Founding Father of the United States. ... Abraham Baldwin Abraham Baldwin (November 23, 1754—March 4, 1807) was an American politician, Patriot, and Founding Father from the U.S. state of Georgia. ... James McHenry (November 16, 1753–May 3, 1816) was an early American statesman. ... Daniel of St. ... Daniel Carroll (July 22, 1730–July 5, 1796) was a politician and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. ... Nathaniel Gorham (May 27, 1738–June 11, 1796) was the eighth President of the United States in Congress assembled, under the Articles of Confederation. ... Rufus King (March 24, 1755–April 29, 1827) was an American lawyer, politician, and statesman. ... John Langdon John Langdon (June 26, 1741—September 18, 1819) was an American politician and one of the first two U.S. Senators from New Hampshire. ... Nicholas Gilman Nicholas Gilman (August 3, 1755–May 2, 1814) was a soldier in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, a delegate to the Continental Congress, and a signer of the U.S. Constitution, representing New Hampshire. ... William Livingston (November 30, 1723– July 25, 1790) was the revolutionary Governor of New Jersey from 1776 to 1790. ... David Brearly (May 14, 1703–October 4, 1785) was a delegate to the U.S. Constitutional Convention and signed the U.S. Constitution on behalf of New Jersey. ... William Paterson (December 24, 1745–September 9, 1806) was a New Jersey statesman and signer of the United States Constitution. ... Jonathan Dayton, (October 16, 1760–October 9, 1824), American politician, was the third Speaker of the United States House of Representatives and a signer of the United States Constitution. ... A portrait of Alexander Hamilton by John Trumbull, 1792. ... For the English scholar see William Blount, 4th Baron Mountjoy. ... Gov. ... Hugh Williamson (December 5, 1735–May 22, 1819) was an American politician. ... Benjamin Franklin by Jean-Baptiste Greuze 1777 For the former mayor of Nepean, see Ben Franklin (politician) Dr. Benjamin Franklin (January 17, 1706 – April 17, 1790) was an American printer, journalist, publisher, author, philanthropist, abolitionist, public servant, scientist, librarian, diplomat and inventor. ... Thomas Mifflin Thomas Mifflin (January 10, 1744–January 20, 1800) was the fifth President of the United States in Congress assembled under the Articles of Confederation, holding office from November 3, 1783 to November 29, 1784. ... Robert Morris, Jr. ... George Clymer (March 16, 1739–January 23, 1813) was an American politician and Founding Father. ... Thomas Fitzsimons (1741-1811) was an American merchant and statesman of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ... Jared Ingersoll (October 24, 1749 – October 31, 1822) was an early American lawyer and statesman from Philadelphia. ... This article is about the James Wilson who was a signatory of the United States Declaration of Independence and one of the original U.S. Supreme Court justices. ... Gouverneur Morris Gouverneur Morris (January 31, 1752–November 8, 1816), an American statesman, represented Pennsylvania in the Constitutional Convention of 1787 and was author of large sections of the Constitution of the United States, including its preamble. ... John Rutledge John Rutledge (September 1739-July 18, 1800) was Governor of South Carolina, delegate to the Constitutional Convention, and served on the U.S. Supreme Court (Chief Justice from August to December 1795). ... Charles Cotesworth (C.C.) Pinckney (February 5, 1746- August 16, 1825), was an American statesman born in Charleston, South Carolina, the son of Charles Pinckney (and second cousin to Governor Charles Pinckney), by his second wife, the celebrated planter, Eliza Lucas. ... Charles Pinckney (October 26, 1757–October 29, 1824) was an American politician who was a signer of the United States Constitution, Governor of South Carolina, a Senator and a member of the House of Representatives. ... This is an article about the Founding Father. ... John Blair (1732–August 31, 1800) was an American politician, Founding Father, and Patriot. ... James Madison (March 16, 1751 – June 28, 1836) was the fourth (1809–1817) President of the United States. ... George Washington (February 22, 1732–December 14, 1799) was an American planter, political figure, and military leader. ... Portrait of Josiah Bartlett Josiah Bartlett (November 21, 1729–May 19, 1795), was an American physician and statesman who, as a delegate to the Continental Congress for New Hampshire, signed the Declaration of Independence. ... William Whipple, Jr. ... Matthew Thornton (1714–June 24, 1803), was a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of New Hampshire. ... Portrait of Hancock (full portrait) Hancocks signature on the United States Declaration of Independence John Hancock (January 12, 1737 (O.S.) – October 8, 1793 (N.S.)) was President of the Continental Congress, and the first person to sign the United States Declaration of Independence. ... Samuel Adams (September 27, 1722 – October 2, 1803) was an American revolutionary and organizer of the Boston Tea Party. ... John Adams (October 30, 1735 – July 4, 1826) was the first (1789–1797) Vice President of the United States, and the second (1797–1801) President of the United States. ... For others with the same name, see Robert Treat Paine (disambiguation). ... Elbridge Gerry (July 17, 1744 – November 23, 1814) was an American politician, a member of the Democratic-Republican Party. ... This article is about the 18th century American politician; see Stephen Hopkins for other men who bore that name. ... William Ellery (December 22, 1727–February 15, 1820), was a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of Rhode Island. ... Roger Sherman (April 19 (O.S.) = April 30 (N.S.), 1721 - July 23, 1793), was a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence and a member of the committee which drafted it, a member of the committee that drafted the Articles of Confederation, and signed the United States Constitution... Samuel Huntington (July 16, 1731–January 5, 1796) was an American jurist, statesman, and revolutionary leader from Connecticut. ... William Williams (April 28, 1731– August 2, 1811) was an American merchant and political leader from Lebanon, Connecticut. ... Oliver Wolcott (December 1, 1726–December 1, 1797), was a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of Connecticut. ... William Floyd in a 1792 portrait William Floyd (December 17, 1734–August 4, 1821), was a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of New York. ... Philip Livingston (January 15, 1716–June 12, 1778), was an American merchant and statesman from New York City. ... Francis Lewis (March 21, 1713–December 30, 1803), was a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of New York. ... Lewis Morris (April 8, 1726– January 22, 1798) was an American landowner and developer from Morrisania, New York. ... Richard Stockton (NSHC statue) An illustrious lawyer, jurist, legislator, and a signer of the Declaration of Independence, Richard Stockton (October 1, 1730 – February 28, 1781), was born near Princeton, New Jersey attended Samuel Finleys academy at Nottingham, which later became West Nottingham Academy, and the College of New Jersey... John Witherspoon (February 15, 1723–November 15, 1794), was a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of New Jersey. ... Francis Hopkinson - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... For other people named John Hart, see John Hart (disambiguation). ... Abraham Clark (February 15, 1725—September 15, 1794) was an American politician and Revolutionary War figure. ... Robert Morris, Jr. ... Dr. Benjamin Rush (December 24, 1745–April 19, 1813) was a Founding Father of the United States. ... Benjamin Franklin by Jean-Baptiste Greuze 1777 For the former mayor of Nepean, see Ben Franklin (politician) Dr. Benjamin Franklin (January 17, 1706 – April 17, 1790) was an American printer, journalist, publisher, author, philanthropist, abolitionist, public servant, scientist, librarian, diplomat and inventor. ... John Morton (1724-1777), from Chester, Pennsylvania, was the delegate who cast the deciding vote in favor of the United States Declaration of Independence. ... George Clymer (March 16, 1739–January 23, 1813) was an American politician and Founding Father. ... There are articles for several people named James Smith: Sir James Smith (1759 - 1828) was an English botanist and founder of the Linnean Society James Smith (ca. ... George Taylor (about 1716–February 23, 1781), was a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of Pennsylvania. ... This article is about the James Wilson who was a signatory of the United States Declaration of Independence and one of the original U.S. Supreme Court justices. ... George Ross (May 10, 1730–July 14, 1779), was a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of Pennsylvania. ... Caesar Rodney Caesar Rodney (October 7, 1728–June 29, 1784), was a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of Delaware. ... George Read (September 18, 1733–September 21, 1798), was a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of Delaware. ... Thomas McKean Thomas McKean (March 19, 1734–June 24, 1817) was the second President of the United States in Congress assembled, from July 10, 1781, until November 4, 1781. ... Samuel Chase painting by John Beale Bordley (1836). ... William Paca William Paca (October 30, 1740–October 23, 1799), was a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of Maryland. ... Thomas Stone (1743–October 5, 1787), was a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of Maryland. ... Charles Carroll Charles Carroll of Carrollton (September 19, 1737–November 14, 1832) was a lawyer and politician from Maryland who was a delegate to the Continental Congress and later a United States Senator. ... George Wythe (1726–June 8, 1806), was a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of Virginia. ... Richard Henry Lee Richard Henry Lee (January 20, 1732–June 19, 1794) was the sixth President of the United States in Congress assembled under the Articles of Confederation, holding office from November 30, 1784 to November 22, 1785. ... Thomas Jefferson (April 13, 1743 – July 4, 1826) was the third (1801–1809) President of the United States, second(1797)–1801) Vice President of the United States, and an American statesman, ambassador to France, political philosopher, revolutionary, agriculturalist, horticulturist, land owner, architect, archaeologist, slaveowner, author, inventor, and founder of the... Categories: People stubs | 1726 births | 1791 deaths | Continental Congressmen | Signers of the U.S. Declaration of Independence ... Thomas Nelson, Jr. ... Francis Lightfoot Lee (October 14, 1734–January 11, 1797), was a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of Virginia. ... Carter Braxton (September 16, 1736–October 10, 1797), was a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence and a representative of Virginia. ... William Hooper (June 28, 1742–October 14, 1790), was a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of North Carolina. ... Joseph Hewes (January 23, 1730–November 10, 1779), was a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of North Carolina. ... John Penn (May 17, 1741–September 14, 1788), was a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of North Carolina. ... Edward Rutledge (November 23, 1749–January 23, 1800), South Carolina statesman, was a signer of the Declaration of Independence and later governor of South Carolina. ... Thomas Heyward, Jr. ... Other notable people share this name. ... Arthur Middleton (June 26, 1742–January 1, 1787), of Charleston, South Carolina, was a signer of the Great Britain, at Westminster School, Hackney, and Trinity Hall, Cambridge. ... Button Gwinnett (1735 – May 19, 1777), was a signer of the Georgia. ... Lyman Hall (April 12, 1724–October 19, 1790), was a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of Georgia. ... George Walton (1741–February 2, 1804), was a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of Georgia. ... Richard Bland (1710-1776) was an American planter and statesman from Virginia. ... Vice President Aaron Burr Alternate meaning: Rev. ... This page is for the Vice President George Clinton. ... William Eustis (June 10, 1753–February 6, 1825) was an early American statesman. ... Patrick Henry (May 29, 1736 – June 6, 1799) was a prominent figure in the American Revolution, known and remembered primarily for his stirring oratory. ... Levi Lincoln (May 15, 1749–April 14, 1820) was an American revolutionary and statesman who served as a Minuteman at the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War, a state legislator in Massachusetts, a participant in Massachusetts state constitutional convention, Governor of Massachusetts, Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts, a U.S. Representative... Henry Lee III (January 29, 1756 - March 25, 1818), American general, called Light Horse Harry, was born near Dumfries, Virginia. ... Portrait of Chief Justice John Marshall John Marshall (September 24, 1755–July 6, 1835), Chief Justice of the United States and principal founder of American constitutional law and the Supreme Court of the United States power of judicial review. ... An etching of George Mason George Mason (December 11, 1725 – October 7, 1792) was a United States patriot, statesman, and delegate from Virginia to the U.S. Constitutional Convention. ... A bill of rights is a statement of certain rights that citizens and/or residents of a free and democratic society have (or ought to have) under the laws of that society. ... Thomas Paine Thomas Paine (January 29, 1737–June 8, 1809), intellectual, scholar, and idealist, is widely recognized as one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. ... Edmund Jennings Randolph (August 10, 1753 – September 12, 1813) was an American attorney, Governor of Virginia, Secretary of State, and the first United States Attorney General. ... Peyton Randolph (September, 1721–October 21, 1775) was the first President of the Continental Congress. ...

See also

• Founding Fathers (worldwide)
• List of Continental Congress Delegates

Founding Fathers are persons instrumental not only in the establishment (founding) of a political institution, but also in the origination of the idea of the institution. ... The men in this list actually met in the Continental Congress. ...

External link

• NARA - America's founding fathers
• The Founding Fathers Were Not Christians