Gouverneur Morris
The witty aristocrat who penned the Constitution's soaring Preamble and fiercely argued for a strong national government and against slavery.
1752–1816 (age 64)·American Founding Father and politician·Birthday: January 31
Biography
Born into New York's landed gentry, Gouverneur Morris lost a leg in a carriage accident as a young man, an event that did nothing to slow his formidable intellect or his taste for European finery. He arrived at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 as a delegate from Pennsylvania, his voice and pen immediately central to the proceedings. While others debated structure, Morris shaped the nation's soul, crafting the document's immortal opening lines: 'We the People of the United States...' His advocacy for a powerful central executive and direct election of senators was visionary, and his condemnation of the 'nefarious institution' of slavery was a moral cry in a room of compromise. After the Convention, he served as a diplomat in Europe, witnessing the French Revolution's turmoil firsthand, and later helped design the street grid of New York City. More than a draftsman, Morris infused the American experiment with a sense of grand, collective purpose.
#1 When Gouverneur Was Born
The biggest hits of 1752
Gouverneur's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1752Born
1757Started school
1765Became a teenager
1768Could drive
1770Could vote
1773Turned 21
1782Turned 30
1792Turned 40
1802Turned 50
1812Turned 60
1816Died at 64
Key Achievements
- Authored the final draft and the celebrated Preamble of the United States Constitution.
- Delivered a passionate speech at the Constitutional Convention condemning slavery as a 'curse of heaven'.
- Served as the U.S. Minister Plenipotentiary to France during the tumultuous years of the French Revolution.
- Played a key role in the development of the Erie Canal and the street plan for Manhattan.
Did You Know?
He had a wooden leg after losing his left leg below the knee in a carriage accident at age 28.
He was known for his numerous romantic affairs and never married, a rarity among the Founding Fathers.
His first name was his mother's maiden name, a common practice in his family.
“The rich will strive to establish their dominion and enslave the rest. They always did. They always will.”
