Who was the greatest mind amoung America’s founding fathers?

The term ‘founding fathers’ often refers to the Statesmen and leaders who laid the foundation of the American Republic of States. They held prominent positions when the thirteen colonies gained their independence and sovereignty from England.Typically those persons who were actively involved in the writing of founding documents or the events of the time are considered "founding fathers". Those involved in the writing of the documents would have an understanding as to what was meant and what was not meant. They had insights concerning the nature and meaning of such foundational documents.

There was some overlap between those men who drafted the Declaration of Independence, those who drafted the Articles of Confederation and those who drafted the Constitution.

Although he is often not included in a list of the top 10 founding fathers, the name that often surfaces from peers of that time as being the smartest of the bunch was “James Wilson”. He attended many important meetings as a representative of the State of Pennsylvania. He was an original signatory of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Although peers consider him important, he has not received the attention of Thomas Jefferson of James Madison Who was this man and what were his ideas?

James Wilson was born in Scotland in 1742. The area of Scotland he is from is known as Fife. Hi s father was a respectable farmer near the city of St. Andrews. His father saw to it that his son received the best education available for him, which he received at St. Andrews. Although he originally studied Presbyterian pastor, he changed his plans when his father died during his final year of study. He left the seminary and studied bookkeeping along with classical instruction in Glasgow and Edinburgh., where he excelled in logic and rhetoric. On completing his education, he departed for the American colonies along with his brother.

He arrived in Philadelphia in 1766. While there he obtained a teaching position at a local college. He soon earned the reputation for being the best classical scholar who had ever tutored at the college. He also decided to enter the legal profession. He studied the field fervently and soon had his own law office in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. In that city, he gained the reputation as an eminent counselor. As the revolutionary fervor spread, he joined with some of the early patriots in their cause. His thought provoking articles raised the consciousness of the colonists. His close associations led to his being elected to represent Pennsylvania in the first Congress. He remained true to the patriot cause throughout the War of Secession from Britain. He served as a colonel of militia in the New Jersey campaign.

After the war, he served as the counsel for the French government in dealing with the United States. He was paid well for his services, although he tended to have a tendency to speculate on land deals and to hoard supplies. It was during this time, when some shortages occurred and a mob decided to storm his house (located at the southwest corner of Third K and Walnut Streets). He kept them at bay in what was dubbed “Fort Wilson” with a series of skirmishes. Local troops were finally sent in to rescue him.

When the United States decided to re-evaluate their form of government, he was elected to the Constitutional Convention. He was known for having an inviolate regard for truth and a gentle manner. He was a family man with six children. He made many contributions to the new system of government and was considered one of its early great orators. A reading of the minutes of the Constitutional Convention reveals the extensive contributions he made in developing the document and its ideas. In return for his services, his old friend, President George Washington appointed him to the Supreme Court.

He had further heartaches, in that his first wife died. He remarried soon after her death. The first child he had with his new wife also soon died. Despite having a prominent position, he found himself in considerable debt related to land speculation. In order to avoid arrest related to his debt, he fled from Philadelphia to New Jersey. His troubles never seemed to have left him, the strain of the losses led to mental problems developing. . He died in 1798 in North Carolina while tending some business of the court. While tending to the business, he was exposed to the elements and fell ill. He was buried nearby in an unmarked grave. In 1906, his body was exhumed and reburied in Philadelphia at Christ's Church, which he and George Washington attended. The little school he worked at has since become the University of Pennsylvania Law School which offers honorary in his name.

“All men are, by nature, equal and free: no none has a right to any authority over another without his consent: all lawful government is founded on the consent of those who are subject to it:..”

(This quote addresses how government is founded on the consent of the governed. It also addresses how all men are equal and free.)

“The rule is founded on the law of nature: it must control every political maxim: it must regulate the legislature itself. The people have a right to insist that this rule be observed: and are entitled to demand a moral security that the legislature will observe. If they have not the first, they are slaves; if they have the second, they are, every moment, exposed to slavery”

(This quote addresses how even the legislature is to be held to the rule of law. He then tells of the dangers that would occur if either the people do not insist on it or that the legislature fails to obey the rule of law.)

“It will, I think be found, that wise and good government—I speak at present of no other—instead of contracting, enlarges as well as secures the exercise of the natural liberty of man: and what I say of his natural liberty, I mean to extend, and wish to be understood, through all this argument, as extended, to all his other natural rights”

(In this quote, he addresses how the purpose of government is to extend liberty rather than restrain it.)

“Government, in my humble opinion, should be formed to secure and to enlarge the exercise of the natural rights of its members: and every government, which has not this in view, as its principal object is not a government of the legitimate kind.”

(In this quote he again addresses how the principal object of government is to enlarge liberty).

“…the original equality of mankind consists in an equality of their duties and rights”.

(In this quote, Wilson clarifies what the equality of men consists of. It is equality in duties and legal rights. It is not equality of ability or opportunity)

“By the precepts of Christianity, and the practice of Christians, the dignity of marriage was, however restored.”