The Founders and the Constitution: Introduction
This series of essays focuses on those American Founders who exercised the most influence on the original Constitution as amended by the Bill of Rights. Each essay thumbnails the life and contributions of at least one individual. The essays also will tell you more...
The ideas that formed the Constitution: John Locke and the Ninth Amendment
John Locke (1632–1704) was one of the greatest figures in English scholarship. His influence on the American Founding was enormous. Some have referred to him as a “Founding Grandfather.” Locke shared points of similarity with many other figures profiled in this...
Federal Farmer: An “Unnecessary Departure” From Federalism
At the heart of the debate over the proposed U.S. Constitution was whether it would preserve or undermine individual freedom and state sovereignty. In his 18th and final letter dated Jan. 25, 1788, the Federal Farmer concluded that ratifying the Constitution without...