SECTION VII: The Founding Fathers
Though the Constitution possesses an almost lifelike presence in our modern society, it was in fact conceived and
crafted by mortal men. It was the education, the life experiences and the passion for the job by those men in
Philadelphia - many of whom are barely mentioned today in school textbooks - that resulted in our Constitution.
Other sections of KTBB Constitution Minute:
Prologue: Articles of Confederation || Section 1:
Constitutional Covention ||
Section 2: Ratification || Section 3: Creating the Bill of Rights || Section 4: The Amendments || Section 5: The
Courts and the Landmark Decisions || Section 6: The Present Day
Episode 112 - Gouverneur Morris
Gouverneur Morris was born in New York to an aristocratic family that was loyal to the British crown. But his strong belief that New York should be a free and independent state put him at odds with his family, propelling his move to Philadelphia and his large presence at the Constitutional Convention of 1787. Listen to Episode 112
Episode 120: James Madison
James Madison was the first-born of a wealthy Virginia family. His family's wealth afforded young Madison a top-notch education. Madison's intellectual heft became the driving force behind the creation of an all-new form of government. Listen to Episode 120
Episode 121: George Washington
Though James Madison is widely regarded as the architect of the U.S. Constitution, it is also widely agreed that he wouldn't hold that distinction if hadn't convinced a happily retired George Washington to come to Philadelphia in May of 1787. Listen to Episode 121
Episode 123 James Wilson
At age 34, James Wilson, a native of Scotland, did more than any other single delegate at the Constitutional Convention to create the presidency as we understand it today. Listen to Episode 123
Episode 124 - Roger Sherman
Unlike many of the Founding Fathers, Roger Sherman had little formal education. Yet his aptitude for learning, together with is keenly felt belief in individual liberty, would propel him to make a key contribution to the Constitutional Convention of 1787. Listen to Episode 124
Episode 129 - George Mason
George Mason of Virginia wholeheartedly believed in the necessity and the mission of the Constitutional Convention of 1787. But by the end of the convention, he refused to sign the new document. Mason’s reluctance was a key catalyst toward the creation of the Bill of Rights. Listen to Episode 129