Exhibits

James McHenry

Delegates to the Constitutional Convention

James McHenry. Févret de Saint-Mémin, Charles Balthazar Julien. (1803) Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery.

State: Maryland (born in Ireland)

Age at Convention: 33

Date of Birth: 11/16/1753

Date of Death: 05/03/1816

Schooling: Newark Academy, medicine under Dr. Benjamin Rush

Occupation: Soldier, Physician, Politician

Prior Political Experience: Maryland Justice of the Peace c.1782, Maryland State Senate 1781-1786, Continental Congress 1783-1786

Committee Assignments: Committee of Assumption of State Debts

Convention Contributions: McHenry was frequently absent due to his brother being ill. While present, McHenry did not make any grandiose contributions, but he did keep a journal that is routinely used for scholarship. William Pierce noted him as “a Man of specious talents, with nothing of genious to improve them.”
New Government Participation: McHenry served as a member of the Maryland ratification convention 1788 and as a member of the state senate from 1791-1796. He was also appointed Secretary of War in 1796 and served until 1800.