The political leaders of the 13 American colonies who signed the Declaration of Independence or the United States Constitution, or otherwise participated in the American Revolution as leaders of the Patriots are known as the “Framers” or of the United States.”

JUST WHO WERE THESE MEN?

The 55 delegates who attended the United States Constitutional Convention 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 colonies, 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 Army, most of them in positions of command

What is so extraordinary about these men is that they were not prepared for this moment in history when they were thrust upon the world’s stage, rising individually and collectively to this perilous occasion when they decided to break away from King George, go to war against a world power and build a republic from the ground up. An amazing accomplishment for professional statesmen and military men but unthinkable for these men who thought themselves unequal to the task.

At the time of the convention, 13 men were merchants, 6 were major land speculators, 11 speculated in securities on a large scale, 12 owned or managed slave-operated plantations or large farms, 9 of the men received a substantial part of their income from public office, 3 were retired, 2, Franklin and Williamson were scientists, , 3 were physicians, and 1 was a college president.

The Founding Fathers had strong educational backgrounds with some, like Franklin, were largely self-taught or learned through apprenticeship while others had obtained instruction from private tutors or at academies. The delegates had average life spans for men of the 1780s.

A few of the 1787 delegates were wealthy with a considerable number of them born into leading families while others were self-made men who had risen from humble beginnings. Most of the delegates were natives of the 13 colonies with only eight being born elsewhere.

In the next installment of “Our Founding Fathers” we will cover their religious leanings which it appears as been a controversial subject these days as many self-willed citizens try to twist the words of the Framers as they attempt to interject their own beliefs on the populace; an act The Lang Report vehemently opposes and rallies against.