Founding Fathers: Brief Lives of the Framers of the United States Constitution?Second Edition Revised

About this book

One was a shoemaker surveyor lawyer jurist lay theologian and statesman. Two became president one vice president. Over half were experienced in the legal profession. The majority were well off and for their time well educated. And when they came together in Philadelphia in 1787 they produced the framework for the most influential document in the history of the United States. Yet says M. E. Bradford the fifty-five original Framers of the U.S. Constitution didnt view themselves as demigods out to "invent" a country. Instead they tackled the nuts and bolts of constitution building by relying on a shared philosophical legacy inherited from more than 1 000 years of British history and culture. In this concise and valuable reference workthe only compilation of biographical sketches for all fifty-five Framers who attended the Philadelphia ConventionBradford examines the Framers constitutional theories their visions for the newly founded union and their opinions on ratification of the document that would address such paramount issues as national revenue public debt currency removal of trade barriers between the states and provisions for the common defense. Delving into the political and philosophical principles of the founders Bradford illuminates their motives thoughts and actions and illustrates how their political decision-making was influenced by religion education environment economic circumstances and personal background.