Exhibits

The Age of the Delegates in 1787

Introduction

It has often been remarked that in the journey of life, the young rely on energy to counteract the experience of the old. And vice versa. What makes this Constitutional Convention remarkable is that the delegates were both young and experienced. The average age of the delegates was 42 and 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. Even more significant was the continental political experience of the Framers: 8 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.

The Delegates by Age

Delegates in their 20sStateLifeAge
Jonathon DaytonNJ1760 – 182426
John F. Mercer­MD  1759 – 1821  28
Richard Dobbs SpaightNC1758 – 1802  29
Charles PinckneySC1757 – 182429
Delegates in their 30s   
William R. DavieNC1756 – 180430
Alexander HamiltonNY1757 – 180430
Nicholas GilmanNH1755 – 181432
William HoustounGA1755 – 181332
Rufus KingMA1755 – 182732
John Lansing, Jr.NY1754 – 182932
Abraham BaldwinGA1754 – 180733
Edmund J. RandolphVA1753 – 181334
Gouverneur MorrisPA1752 – 181635
Jacob BroomDE1752 – 181035
James Madison, Jr.VA1751 – 183636
Jared IngersollPA1749 – 182237
William FewGA1748 – 182839
Luther MartinMD1748 – 182639
William BlountNC1749 – 180039
Delegates in their 40s   
Gunning Bedford, Jr.DE1747 – 181240
Charles Cotesworth PinckneySC1746 – 182541
William C. HoustonNJ1746 – 178841
James McClurgVA1746 – 182341
William PatersonNJ1745 – 181541
Richard BassettDE1745 – 181542
Oliver EllsworthCT1745 – 180742
David BrearlyNJ1745 – 179042
Charles Cotesworth PinckneyMA1745 – 181942
Pierce ButlerSC1744 – 182243
Elbridge GerryMA1744 – 181443
Thomas MifflinPA1744 – 180043
James McHenryMD1743 – 181644
James WilsonPA1742 – 179845
John LangdonNH1741 – 181146
Thomas FitzsimonsPA1741 – 181146
Alexander MartinNC1740 – 180747
William L. PierceGA1740 – 178947
George ClymerPA1739 – 181348
John RutledgeSC1739 – 180048
Nathaniel GorhamMA1738 – 179649
Robert YatesNY1738 – 180149
Delegates in their 50s and older    
Hugh WilliamsonNC1735 – 181952
Robert MorrisPA1734 – 180653
George ReadDE1733 – 179853
John BlairVA1732 – 180055
John DickinsonDE1732 – 180855
George WashingtonVA1732 – 179955
Daniel of St. Thomas JeniferMD1730 – 179657
William Samuel JohnsonCT1727 – 181959
George WytheVA1726 – 180661
George MasonVA1725 – 179262
William LivingstonNJ1723 – 179063
David BrearlyMD1723 – 179064
Roger ShermanCT1721 – 179366
Benjamin FranklinPA1706 – 179081

Age of Delegates

Alphabetical List

Continental Experience

Economic Interests

Educational Background

State List

Titles of Honor

Quorum Requirements

A Four-Act Drama

Artistic Portrayals of the Convention

Attendance Record

Committee Chart

Interactive Map of Philadelphia

Intro to the Convention

Letters from the Convention

Madison’s Notes

Major Themes of the Convention

Summary of the Convention

The Delegates

The Constitution

Timeline of the Convention

Washington at City Tavern

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