Founding Fathers of the United States

Founding Fathers of the United States
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Scene at the Signing of the Constitution of the United States, byHoward Chandler Christy.

John Trumbull's famous painting is usually incorrectly identified as a depiction of the signing of the Declaration. The painting actually depicts thefive-man drafting committee presenting their work to the Congress. Trumbull's painting can also be found on the back of the U.S.$2 bill[1]
The Founding Fathers of theUnited States are thepolitical leaders who signed theDeclaration of Independence or otherwise participated in theAmerican Revolution as leaders of thePatriots, or who participated in drafting theUnited States Constitution eleven years later. During theAmerican Revolutionary War, the Founders were opposed by theLoyalists who supported theBritish monarchy and opposed independence (though most Loyalists remained in the U.S. after 1783 and supported the new government).[2] Some authors draw a distinction between the Founders, who signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776 or participated in the Revolution, and the Framers, who drafted the United States Constitution to replace theArticles of Confederation, in 1787.[3] That distinction is not made here.
Warren G. Harding is credited with coining the phrase "Founding Fathers." Then-Senator Harding in his keynote address to the1916 Republican National Convention. He had used the phrase "founding American fathers" in his speech nominatingWilliam Howard Taft for a second term in the1912 Republican National Convention, and used the term again in a 1918Washington's Birthday address before a joint meeting of theDaughters of the American Revolution and theSons of the American Revolution. He used it twice in his acceptance speech at the1920 Republican National Convention and again in hisinaugural address on March 4, 1921.
Contents
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1 Collective biography of the Framers of the Constitution1.1 Political experience1.2 Family and finances1.3 Demographics1.4 Longevity and family life1.5 Religion1.6 Post-convention careers
2 Legacy3 Signatories of the Declaration of Independence4 Constitutional Convention delegates4.1 Delegates who signed4.2 Delegates who had left the Convention earlier and did not sign4.3 Delegates who refused to sign
5 Other Founders6 See also7 Notes8 References9 External links
[edit] Collective biography of the Framers of the Constitution
There were 74 delegates to theUnited States Constitutional Convention from 12 states (Rhode Island did not send delegates. No more than 55 delegates showed up at one time.) They represented a cross-section of 18th century American leadership. Almost all of them were well-educated men of means who were leaders in their communities. Many were also prominent in national affairs. Virtually every one had taken part in theAmerican Revolution; at least 29 had served in theContinental Army, most of them in positions of command. Scholars have examined the collective biography of them as well as the signers of the Declaration and the Constitution.[4]
[edit] Political experience
The signers of the Constitution had extensive political experience. By 1787, four-fifths (41 individuals), were or had been members of theContinental Congress. Nearly all of the 55 delegates had experience in colonial and state government, and the majority had held county and local offices.[5]
Thomas Mifflin,Pierce Gaithe,Joseph Staehle, Nathaniel Gorham]] had served asPresident of the Continental Congress. The ones who lacked congressional experience were Bassett, Blair, Brearly, Broom, Davie, Dayton, Alexander Martin, Luther Martin, Mason, McClurg, Paterson,Charles Pinckney, Strong, Washington and Yates. Eight men (Clymer, Franklin, Gerry, Robert Morris, Read, Sherman, Wilson, and Wythe) had signed theDeclaration of Independence. Six (Carroll, Dickinson, Gerry, Gouverneur Morris, Robert Morris, and Sherman) had affixed their signatures to theArticles of Confederation. Two, Sherman and Robert Morris, underwrote all three of the nation's basic documents. Dickinson, Franklin, Langdon, and Rutledge had been governors.
The 1787 delegates practiced a wide range of high and middle-status occupations, and many pursued more than one career simultaneously. They did not differ dramatically from theLoyalists, except they were generally younger and less senior in their professions.[6] Thirty-five werelawyers or had benefited fromlegal education, though not all of them relied on the profession for a livelihood. Some had also becomejudges.[7]
At the time of the convention, 13 men weremerchants: Blount, Broom, Clymer, Dayton, Fitzsimons, Shields, Gilman, Gorham, Langdon, Robert Morris, Pierce, Sherman, and Wilson. Six were majorland speculators: Blount, Dayton, Fitzsimons, Gorham, Robert Morris, and Wilson. Eleven speculated insecurities on a large scale: Bedford, Blair, Clymer, Dayton, Fitzsimons, Franklin, King, Langdon, Robert Morris, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, and Sherman. Twelve owned or managedslave-operatedplantations or largefarms: Bassett, Blair, Blount, Butler, Carroll, Jenifer, Mason, Charles Pinckney, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Rutledge, Spaight, and Washington. Madison also owned slaves, as did Franklin, who laterfreed his slaves and became anabolitionist. Broom and Few were small farmers. Eight of the men received a substantial part of their income from public office: Baldwin, Blair, Brearly, Gilman, Livingston, Madison, and Rutledge. Three hadretired from active economic endeavors: Franklin, McHenry, and Mifflin. Franklin and Williamson werescientists, in addition to their other activities. McClurg, McHenry, and Williamson werephysicians, and Johnson was acollege president.
[edit] Family and finances
A few of the 1787 delegates were wealthy, but many of the country's top wealth-holders were Loyalists who went to Britain. Most of the others had financial resources that ranged from good to excellent, but there are other founders who were less than wealthy. On the whole they were less wealthy than the Loyalists.[8]
Washington and Robert Morris ranked among the nation's most prosperous men. Carroll, Houston, Jenifer, and Mifflin were also extremely well-to-do. Among those with the most strained circumstances were Baldwin, Brearly, Broom, Few, Hamilton, 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.
[edit] Demographics
Brown (1976) and Harris (1969) provide detailed demographic information on each man.
Most of the 1787 delegates were natives of theThirteen Colonies. Only eight were born elsewhere: four (Butler, Fitzsimons, McHenry, and Paterson) inIreland, two (Davie and Robert Morris) inEngland, one (Wilson) inScotland, and one (Hamilton) in theWest Indies. Many of them had moved from one state to another. Seventeen individuals had already lived or worked in more than one state or colony: Baldwin, Bassett, Bedford, Dickinson, Few, Franklin, Ingersoll, Hamilton, Livingston, Alexander Martieno, Luther Martin, Mercer, Gouverneur Morris, Robert Morris, Read, Sherman, and Williamson. Several others had studied or traveled abroad.
The Founding Fathers had strong educational backgrounds.[9] Some, like Franklin, were largelyself-taught or learned throughapprenticeship. Others had obtained instruction from private tutors or at academies. About half of the men had attended or graduated from college in the colonies or Britain. Some men heldmedical degrees or advanced training intheology. For the most part, the delegates were a well-educated group. A few lawyers had been trained at theInns of Court inLondon, but most had apprenticed to an American lawyer.
[edit] Longevity and family life

Death age of the Founding Fathers.
For their era, the 1787 delegates (like the 1776 signers) were average in terms of life spans.[10] Their average age at death was about 67. The first to die was Houston in 1788; the last was Madison in 1836.
The one who reached the oldest age was Johnson, who died at 92. John Adams lived to the age of 90. A few—Franklin, Jefferson, Madison, Williamson, and Wythe—lived into their eighties. Either 15 or 16 (depending on Fitzsimons's exact age) died in their seventies. Twenty or 21 in their sixties; eight lived into their fifties; and five lived only into their forties. Three (Alexander Hamilton ,Richard Dobbs Spaight andButton Gwinnett, were killed induels.
Most of the delegates married and raised children. Sherman fathered the largest family: 15 children by two 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 lifelongbachelors.
[edit] Religion
Lambert (2003) has examined the religious affiliations and beliefs of the Founders. Some of the 1787 delegates had no affiliation. The others wereProtestants except for threeRoman Catholics: C. Carroll, D. Carroll, and Fitzsimons. Among the Protestant delegates to the Constitutional Convention, 28 wereEpiscopalian, eight werePresbyterians, seven wereCongregationalists, two wereLutherans, two wereDutch Reformed, and two wereMethodists, the total number being 49. Some of the more prominent Founding Fathers wereanti-clerical or vocal about their opposition to organized religion, such as Jefferson. Some of them often related their anti-organized church leanings in their speeches and correspondence, including George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson (who created the "Jefferson Bible"), and Benjamin Franklin. However, notable founders, such as Patrick Henry, were strong proponents of traditional religion. Several of the Founding Fathers considered themselves to bedeists or held beliefs very similar to that of deists, including Franklin, Jefferson, and Ethan Allen.[11]
Although not a religion,Freemasonry was represented in Samuel Adams, John Blair, Benjamin Franklin, James Mchenry, George Washington, Abraham Baldwin, Gunning Bedford, William Blount, David Brearly, Daniel Carroll, Jonathan Dayton, Rufus King, John Langdon, George Read, Roger Sherman, James Madison, Robert Morris, William Paterson, and Charles Pinckney.
[edit] Post-convention careers
The 1787 delegates' subsequent careers reflected their abilities as well as the vagaries of fate.[12] Most were successful, although seven (Fitzsimons, Gorham, Luther Martin, Mifflin, Robert Morris, Pierce, and Wilson) suffered serious financial reverses that left them in or nearbankruptcy. Two, Blount and Dayton, were involved in possiblytreasonous activities. Yet, as they had done before the convention, most of the group continued to render public service, particularly to the new government they had helped to create.
Washington, John Adams, Jefferson and Madison each served asPresident of the United States. King and Charles Cotesworth Pinckney were nominated as candidates for the office.Declaration of Independence signersJohn Hancock,Richard Henry Lee, andSamuel Huntington went on to becomePresident of the Continental CongressArticles of Confederation signersJohn Hanson andThomas McKean went on to become Presidents of theUnited States in Congress Assembled, as didConstitution signersNathaniel Gorham andThomas Mifflin Gerry served as Madison'sVice President. John Adams served as Washington's. Hamilton, McHenry, Madison, and Randolph attained posts in theCabinet posts. Nineteen men becameU.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, five more (Blair, Chase, Paterson, Rutledge, and Wilson) asAssociate Justices of the Supreme Court. Rutledge and Ellsworth also held the position ofChief Justice. Seven others (Davie, Ellsworth, Gerry, King, Gouverneur Morris, Charles Pinckney, and Charles Cotesworth Pinckney) were named todiplomatic missions.
Many 1787 delegates held important positions instate governments. Twelve served asgovernor (Blount, Davie, Franklin, Gerry, Langdon, Livingston, Alexander Martin, Mifflin, Paterson, Charles Pinckney, Spaight, and Strong) and others served instate legislatures. 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.
[edit] Legacy
According to Joseph J. Ellis, the concept of the Founding Fathers of the U.S. emerged in the 1820s as the last survivors died out. Ellis says the "the founders," or "the fathers," comprised an aggregate of semi-sacred figures whose particular accomplishments and singular achievements were decidedly less important than their sheer presence as a powerful but faceless symbol of past greatness. For the generation of national leaders coming of age in the 1820s and 1830s — men likeAndrew Jackson,Henry Clay,Daniel Webster, andJohn C. Calhoun — "the founders" represented a heroic but anonymous abstraction whose long shadow fell across all followers and whose legendary accomplishments defied comparison. "We can win no laurels in a war for independence," Webster acknowledged in 1825. "Earlier and worthier hands have gathered them all. Nor are there places for us ... [as] the founders of states. Our fathers have filled them. But there remains to us a great duty of defence and preservation."[13]
[edit] Signatories of the Declaration of Independence
John AdamsSamuel AdamsJosiah BartlettCarter BraxtonCharles CarrollSamuel ChaseAbraham ClarkGeorge ClymerWilliam ElleryWilliam FloydBenjamin FranklinElbridge GerryButton GwinnettLyman HallJohn HancockBenjamin HarrisonJohn HartJoseph HewesThomas Heyward, Jr.
William HooperStephen HopkinsFrancis HopkinsonSamuel HuntingtonThomas JeffersonFrancis Lightfoot LeeRichard Henry LeeFrancis LewisPhilip LivingstonThomas Lynch, Jr.Thomas McKeanArthur MiddletonLewis MorrisRobert MorrisJohn MortonThomas Nelson, Jr.William PacaRobert Treat PaineJohn Penn
George ReadCaesar RodneyGeorge RossBenjamin RushEdward RutledgeRoger ShermanJames SmithRichard StocktonThomas StoneGeorge TaylorMatthew ThorntonGeorge WaltonWilliam WhippleWilliam WilliamsJames WilsonJohn WitherspoonOliver WolcottGeorge WytheCharles Thomson - Secretary of Continental Congress (only John Hancock signed and Thomson attested on July 4)
[edit] Constitutional Convention delegates
[edit] Delegates who signed
Richard BassettGunning Bedford, Jr.John BlairWilliam BlountDavid BrearlyJacob BroomPierce ButlerDaniel CarrollGeorge ClymerJonathan DaytonJohn DickinsonWilliam FewThomas FitzsimonsBenjamin FranklinFrances FieldsNicholas GilmanNathaniel GorhamAlexander HamiltonJared IngersollDaniel of St. Thomas Jenifer
William Samuel JohnsonRufus KingJohn LangdonWilliam LivingstonJames MadisonJames McHenryThomas MifflinGouverneur MorrisRobert MorrisWilliam PatersonCharles Cotesworth PinckneyCharles PinckneyGeorge ReadJohn RutledgeRoger ShermanRichard Dobbs SpaightGeorge Washington (president of the Convention)Hugh WilliamsonJames WilsonWilliam Jackson (Secretary)
[edit] Delegates who had left the Convention earlier and did not sign
William Richardson DavieOliver EllsworthWilliam HoustounJohn Lansing, Jr.Alexander MartinLuther Martin
James McClurgJohn Francis MercerWilliam PierceCaleb StrongGeorge WytheRobert Yates
[edit] Delegates who refused to sign
George MasonEdmund RandolphElbridge Gerry
[edit] Other Founders
Ethan AllenRichard BlandGeorge ClintonPatrick HenryJohn JayHenry KnoxHenry Lee IIIThomas Sim LeeRobert R. LivingstonJohn Marshall, the fourthChief Justice of the United States.Philip MazzeiJames Monroe, Continental Congressman and fifthPresident of the United States, the last of the "Republican Generation"Thomas Paine, who went on to champion theFrench Revolution in hisRights of Man. He was elected to theNational Convention and helped to write the constitution ofFrance.Peyton Randolph, President of theFirst Continental Congress Dr.William Rickman, first Director of Hospitals of the Continental Army.Gilbert du Motier, marquis de La Fayette French Major General, originally a volunteer, who was vital for the correspondence to and persuasion of France to support the Revolution.Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, theGerman-Prussian General who reorganized theContinental Army and guided it to victory.Charles Thomson, Secretary of Continental Congress 1774-1789 (partially responsible for designing the Great Seal of the United States of America)
[edit] See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:Founding Fathers of the United States
List of national founding fathers (worldwide)List of delegates to the Continental CongressHistory of the United States ConstitutionRights of Englishmen