Influential Characters

William Paterson--the sternly-moralistic Princeton graduate was the author of the "New Jersey Plan," the principal alternative to Madison's Virginia Plan.   He was one of the Convention's strongest advocates for the interests of the "small states."

Nathaniel Gorham--he did not play an active role in debate, but as Chair of the Committee of the Whole, the Massachusetts delegate presided effectively over the Convention's early deliberations during the first half of the summer.  

Edmund Randolph--governor of Virginia in 1787, Randolph could trace his lineage back to one of state's most distinguished families, and it was perhaps for that reason that he, not   Madison was selected to present the Virginia Plan to the Convention. In the end, however, he would join the ranks of those dissenting from the final document.

John Dickinson--A reluctant revolutionist in 1776, Dickinson was the author of an early draft of the Articles of Confederation.    Although he did not play a major role in drafting the Constitution, his speeches on a wide range of subjects--from the meaning of federalism to the importance of a separation of powers within the new government--were timely and sagacious.

Oliver Ellsworth--like his fellow delegate from Connecticut,   Roger Sherman, Ellsworth was involved in all of the important compromises that enabled the Convention to move forward with its business

John Rutledge--the most powerful politician in South Carolina, Rutledge played a key role as Chair of the "Committee of Detail." That committee took all of the confusing and conflicting proposals that had been presented to the Convention during the first two and a half months of debate and, on August 6, presented the first, coherent version of the Constitution yet to appear.

Alexander Hamilton--the young and ambitious Colonel Hamilton may have been the smartest man in the Convention, but his fondness for the British Constitution and disdain for the state governments may have alienated other delegates.