Exhibits

Alexander Martin

Delegates to the Constitutional Convention

Alexander Martin. The New York Public Library, The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Print Collection, M, Alexander Martin.

State: North Carolina (born in New Jersey)

Age at Convention: 47

Date of Birth: 1740

Date of Death: 11/10/1807

Schooling: Princeton 1756

Occupation: Merchant, Judge Attorney, Politician 

Prior Political Experience: North Carolina House of Commons 1773-1774, North Carolina State Senate (Speaker), 1778-1782, 1785 and 1787, Acting Governor of North Carolina 1781-1782, Governor of North Carolina 1782-1785

Committee Assignments: None

Convention Contributions: Martin took a back seat at the Convention and left in August. During his time there he sided with the Federalists. William Pierce described him as “a Man of sense, and undoubtedly is a good politician, but he is not formed to shine in public debate, being no Speaker.”
New Government Participation: After the Convention, he went on to serve one more term in the State Senate from 1788-1789, although not as speaker. Then he once again served as the Governor of North Carolina from 1789-1792. In 1792, he was chosen as a Senator and served one term. Finally, he served two more years in the State Senate from 1804-1805.