The U.S. Constitution was written in 1787 during the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia by a group of delegates from 12 states. While James Madison is widely regarded as the "Father of the Constitution" for his central role in drafting and promoting the document, the Constitution was the product of collective effort and compromise among many individuals
. Key contributors include:
- James Madison, who authored the Virginia Plan and took extensive notes during the convention, shaping much of the Constitution's structure
- Gouverneur Morris, credited with writing the Constitution’s final language, including the famous preamble
- George Washington, who presided over the convention and lent his leadership though he did not draft the text directly
- Benjamin Franklin, whose wisdom helped mediate conflicts and build consensus among delegates
- Alexander Hamilton, a strong advocate for a robust federal government and co-author of the Federalist Papers supporting ratification
The Constitution was handwritten by Jacob Shallus, an assistant clerk, on parchment after the convention concluded
. In summary, the Constitution was authored by a collaborative group known as the Founding Fathers, with James Madison playing the principal role in its creation, supported by other key figures such as Gouverneur Morris, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Alexander Hamilton
