Roger Sherman
The pragmatic Connecticut cobbler-turned-statesman who holds the unique distinction of signing America's four foundational documents.
1721–1793 (age 72)·American lawyer, statesman, and Founding Father·Birthday: April 19
Biography
Roger Sherman was the ultimate political craftsman of the early United States, a man whose steady hand helped shape the nation's framework. He began life as a shoemaker, a trade that instilled a practical, stitch-by-stitch approach to problem-solving. Self-taught in law, he rose through Connecticut politics, earning a reputation for granite integrity and a knack for compromise. At the Constitutional Convention, he authored the Connecticut Compromise, which created the bicameral legislature, arguably saving the convention from deadlock. His is a singular signature in history: he is the only person to have signed the Continental Association, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the U.S. Constitution.
#1 When Roger Was Born
The biggest hits of 1721
Roger's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1721Born
1726Started school
1734Became a teenager
1737Could drive
1739Could vote
1742Turned 21
1751Turned 30
1761Turned 40
1771Turned 50
1781Turned 60
1791Turned 70
1793Died at 72
Key Achievements
- Was the only person to sign all four of the U.S.'s foundational documents: the Continental Association, Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, and Constitution.
- Proposed the Connecticut Compromise (Great Compromise), which established the bicameral structure of the U.S. Congress.
- Served as a U.S. Senator from Connecticut after serving in the House of Representatives.
- Served on the Committee of Five that drafted the Declaration of Independence.
Did You Know?
He was a successful merchant and owned a store next to Yale College, where he served as treasurer.
He helped design the coinage system for the early United States.
Despite his pivotal role, he never kept a diary or personal papers, making his personal life somewhat opaque.
He was a devout Calvinist throughout his life.
“The question is, not what rights naturally belong to man, but how they may be most equally and effectually guarded in society.”
