Richard Dobbs Spaight
Delegates to the Constitutional Convention
State: North Carolina
Age at Convention: 29
Date of Birth: 03/25/1758
Date of Death: 09/06/1802
Schooling: University of Glasgow (c.1778)
Occupation: Soldier, Politician
Prior Political Experience: North Carolina House of Commons 1779-1783, Continental Congress 1783-1785, North Carolina House of Commons 1785-1787
Committee Assignments: None
Convention Contributions: Despite having a perfect attendance, Spaight served in no committees. He was not complacent to silence, however, as he spoke on several occasions. Fellow delegate William Pierce described him as “a worthy Man, of some abilities, and fortune.”
New Government Participation: Spaight served as the Governor of North Carolina from 1972-1975. Afterwards, he served as a member of the House of Representatives from 1798-1801. Thereafter, he served in the State Senate from 1801 until 1802 where he was killed in a duel.