The Founders and the Constitution: Alexander Hamilton
It’s easy, if not entirely fair, to explain Alexander Hamilton’s relentless search for fame and power as the outcome of a life begun under very unfavorable conditions. He was born on Jan. 11, 1757, an illegitimate child on the Caribbean island of Nevis, then a...
The Founders and the Constitution: John Rutledge
Let’s get the bad news out of the way first: John Rutledge owned slaves. Moreover, during the Constitutional Convention, he informed his fellow delegates that the three southernmost states would not join the Union if the Constitution immediately abolished the slave...
The Founders and the Constitution: James Wilson
James Madison was the individual with the most influence on the framing (writing) of the Constitution. Some authors rate James Wilson second. I don’t agree with the latter assessment. Wilson’s impact at the Constitutional Convention, while significant, is overrated....