OCCUPATIONS OF OUR FOUNDERS

Where did OUR FOUNDERS look for our early leaders? What were the occupational backgrounds of the 55 men who formulated our Constitution. According to Jim Crawford, whose article, sourced from the National Archives and Records Administration, is linked to our website, several things emerge,

They represented a cross section of leadership. Most well-educated who performed a number of different occupations,

• 35 were lawyers or had benefited from legal training


• 13 were businessmen, merchants, or shippers


• 11 speculated in securities


• 12 owned large farms and plantations


• 2 were small farmers


• 9 received substantial income from public office


• 3 were retired


• 5 were scientists


• 1 university president


• 1 ordained minister


• 3 studied theology
  
• Most of the delegates married and raised families. These leaders founded a nation which is still the marvel of the world.