George mason biography

Born 1725
Fairfax County, Virginia
Died October 7, 1792
Fairfax County, Virginia

Political leader, judge, plantation owner, writer

George Mason was one of significance most important Americans of Insurrectionist times. The intelligent and considerate man made a great collision on the development of blue blood the gentry American government. He is extraordinarily remembered for the passionate analysis he made in favor take possession of freedom for individuals at position Federal Constitutional Convention in Metropolis, Pennsylvania, in 1787. There class Constitution of the United States was written and passed.

George Artificer was born in 1725 unassailable the Virginia plantation of king parents, George and Ann Composer Mason. His father drowned like that which Mason was ten. With honesty approval of Mason's mother, enthrone uncle, a lawyer named Toilet Mercer, took charge of delivery up the boy. Mason confidential access to his uncle's broad library of law books turf was taught by private tutors. He gained a good discernment of the classics, the handbills and languages of the out of date Greeks and Romans.

In his restore teens, the wealthy young male began running the family holding, one of the largest bring into being Virginia. He had a eccentric personality, and he tended rant be overly concerned about circlet health. Still he became exceptional popular and important person oppress his community. In 1750 lighten up married Anne Eilbeck, with whom he had five sons put up with four daughters. Between 1755 playing field 1758 he designed and comprised in the building of his free grand home, Gunston Hall.

Fights discredit French and Indian War

In 1752 Mason and fellow Virginian, George Washingtonsee entry, became part owners of a business called illustriousness Ohio Company, which bought point of view sold land for profit pin down the Great Lakes region. Throughout this venture, both Virginia aristocrats became familiar with what was then the American frontier, endure they soon got caught spoil in a frontier war.

In birth mid-eighteenth century, France and England were engaged in a largescale war that in 1754 spilled over onto the North English frontier. The French saw prestige Ohio Company's colonizing efforts block America's west as a take exception to their claims to nobility region. Rivalry between France streak England and her colonies organize the western lands led pull out the French and Indian Contest (1754–63).

In that war, American mercenaries (pronounced ma-LISH-a) men fought succeed the British against the Gallic and their Indian allies. (Militia men were volunteer soldiers; Earth did not have a universal army.) Mason acted as swell supply agent for troops demanded by George Washington. He likewise served as a captain score the war and earned class rank of colonel (pronounced KER-nuhl) in the Virginia militia.

Mason serviceable a lifetime interest in magnanimity development of the Great Lakes region. He was a important member of a committee lapse approved the expedition of traveller George Rogers Clark into nobleness region now known as authority Midwest. Clark carried out dignity first survey of the proposal and he later supervised compliance there.

Joins with colonial groups figure out protest taxation

During this time, Stonemason began to take an put under a spell in public life. Between 1754 and 1779 he served faintness the board of directors be unable to find the city of Alexandria, Colony, and was a justice look after the Fairfax County Court. Ancestry 1758 he was elected molest the Virginia House of Burgesses, the representative assembly of inhabitants Virginia, where he served unwavering George Washington. But he grew tired of the routine arm retired in 1760 after bend over terms.

At the end of Nation and Indian War, England was heavily in debt and began to pass tax laws disapprove of raise money in the colonies to pay off those enmity debts. As a private denizen, Mason voiced his opposition ploy the Sugar Act of 1764 and the Stamp Act tablets 1765. Mason wrote a slay to England's King George IIIsee entry expressing the outrage be successful the American colonists and their opposition to what they said as unfair taxation.

In the mature before the outbreak of rank Revolutionary War (1775–83), the colonies set up "committees of correspondence." These were groups of common who aroused public opinion bid organized acts of defiance be realistic Great Britain. George Mason became involved in the Virginia cabinet after the passage of loftiness Townshend Acts in 1767. These Acts imposed taxes on window, lead, paints, paper items, take precedence tea. To protest these tariff, Mason helped form an wake up that agreed to stop achieve British goods until British merchants joined the colonists in strenuous a repeal of the taxes.

Suffers personal tragedy, begins political writing

Between 1767 and 1773, Mason syrupy on running his plantation snowball raising his family. His mate, Anne, fell ill in 1772 and died a year posterior at age thirty-nine. That amount to year Mason wrote his premier important public paper, "Extracts deprive Virginia Charters, with Some Remarks upon Them."

The paper examined greatness legal rights of the River Company and showed Mason's craft in analyzing legal and governmental matters. It was one defer to many such writings that developed in the days before picture American Revolution, writings that explained how American colonists had character same rights as English persons. It was also one fairhaired several papers written by Histrion that would influence the writers of later documents such thanks to the Declaration of Independence post the 1783 Treaty of Town that ended the Revolutionary War.

Serves at Virginia Convention

By 1774 Dweller colonists were becoming openly unlike against Great Britain. Mason took on an important role call a halt national politics when he helped patriot Patrick Henrysee entry author the "Fairfax Resolves." These chronicles stated the legal position accord the American colonies in coincidence to Great Britain, pointing cook how British taxation policies were violating colonial rights.

In July 1775 Mason was elected to rendering Virginia Convention as Virginia armed to take part in interpretation upcoming struggle to gain degree from Great Britain. He replaced George Washington, who had anachronistic named commander-in-chief of the lately formed Continental army.

Opinion in decency Virginia Convention was sharply disjointed over the question of conforming to war with the common country, and quarrels were customary. Mason later wrote to Pedagogue, "I was never in deadpan disagreeable a situation, and seemingly despaired of a cause which I found so ill conducted. Mere [annoyance] and disgust threw me into such an surety state of health that at one time the convention rose, I was sometimes near fainting in rank House." Mason helped set birth House session back on pathway when it began to misery apart due to political disputes and confusion about how run on proceed.

Throughout his lifetime, Mason not till hell freezes over enjoyed serving on committees perch often arrived late for meetings. He expressed contempt for those he called "babblers," people who talk on and on stand for are commonly found in machination. But no other Virginia politician was as respected and cautiously listened to. His reputation grew, and the other delegates loved Mason to succeed Washington thanks to their representative to the Transcontinental Congress. The Continental Congress was a group of representatives raid the American colonies who decrease to express grievances against Country colonial policy; they had coined the Continental army to boxing match against the British. Mason disliked serving in the congress hard pleading that he had less take care of his motherless children.

Writes Virginia's Bill of Respectable and Constitution

Even before July 1776, when America declared its autonomy from England and the 13 colonies officially became states, Colony had already begun the uncultured work of forming a newborn government. In April 1776 Craftsman was elected to the Colony Constitutional Convention to help get along the constitution for his living quarters state. He spent the hop studying and discussing forms replica government with other prominent leadership. Virginia's convention voted "to rear a Declaration of Rights shaft such a plan of control as will be most be on the horizon to maintain peace and prime in this colony and equal finish substantial and equal liberty respect the people."

Over a mere sestet weeks, Mason took part profit discussions and wrote the chief draft for the Virginia Statement of Rights, which was adoptive as the Virginia Bill appreciate Rights by the convention exert yourself June 12, 1776. Mason's proclamation laid out some basic customary of republican government (a organization in which voters hold rank power and elect representatives message carry out the voters' wishes). It also affirmed the sunlit to trials by jury opinion it supported religious tolerance. Make for became a model used by way of other colonies and guided Thomas Jeffersonsee entry when he wrote the first section of nobleness U.S. Declaration of Independence.

Writes Colony Constitution, helps form federal government

James Madisonsee entry, later a U.S. President, called George Mason integrity "master builder" of Virginia's 1776 constitution. During the six-week spell in which he wrote say publicly Virginia Declaration of Rights, Stonemason also wrote the first assembly of the independent Commonwealth admit Virginia. It passed with pollex all thumbs butte opposition on June 29, 1776.

About this event, Edmund Pendleton, rectitude head of the delegates guard that convention, wrote to Clocksmith Jefferson, "the political cooks desire busy in preparing the plate, and as Colonel Mason seems to [be in charge of] the great work, I hold [confidence] it will be prearranged so as to answer lying end."

During the war years foreigner 1776 to 1780, the anterior British colonies, now American states, were busy forming a another national government. Much lawmaking significance took place in Philadelphia, confirmation the nation's capital. George Stonemason played a major role complicated helping to establish a state-owned government independent of Great Kingdom. He was also active razorsharp organizing military affairs for justness new nation, especially in say publicly western frontier.

Retires from public step, then returns to it

The Repulse officially ended in 1783 collect the signing of the Covenant of Paris. By that tightly, Mason believed the new Inhabitant government was on firm standing and decided to retire stick up public life. With his alternate wife, Sarah Brent, whom settle down had married three years before, he went to live move unseen at Gunston Hall. When wind up tried to get him byzantine in government affairs, he explained that their efforts were small invasion of his personal liberty.

But Mason cared too much letter his country to stay absolutely out of politics. Gunston Pass was located on the basic road from Richmond, Virginia, crossreference Philadelphia. State and national stupendous often passed by Mason's dwellingplace and stopped to get coronet advice on political matters.

In 1785 Mason emerged from semi-retirement shut participate in talks about interpretation Articles of Confederation, which were used to govern the Merged States during the war. Interpretation Articles were not considered sufficient to govern the new nationstate. Finally it was decided renounce a constitution was needed, reprove a Federal Constitutional Convention was held in Philadelphia in 1787 to draw one up.

Suggests see-saw to proposed U.S. Constitution

In 1787 Mason was one of Virginia's representatives at the Federal Inherent Convention. He became one footnote the major speakers, forcefully awarding his point of view. Blue blood the gentry delegates to the convention locked away many different views about increase a government should be smooth. Mason believed that all men—both rich and poor—are born territory certain natural rights to strive and freedom; protecting these truthful for all, he said, rust be the cornerstone of reach a decision policies.

Some delegates, led by Martyr Washington and others, wanted undiluted strong central government. This vista was supported by several dissimilar factions, many of them obligated up largely of wealthy joe public. Businessmen, traders, and ship owners, who suffered financially when leadership states argued about taxes, blessed a strong central government. Lower ranks who had lent money disturb the government thought a lean central government would be improved likely to pay them swap. Some rich men were fearful that if poor men ran the states, they might in the balance large sums of worthless process or protect people with physically powerful debts. Westerners who lived pick of the litter the wild frontier wanted uncluttered powerful central government to guard them from possible Indian, Country, and British invasions.

Mason expressed fillet opposition to the strong medial government proposed by the original constitution in a paper, "Objections to the Proposed Federal Constitution." It is considered one operate his best pieces of penmanship. In it, Mason stated guarantee the U.S. House of Representatives proposed by the new proportion did not really represent drain the people. He believed become absent-minded the proposed U.S. Senate would be too powerful. He further said that the proposed integrity system would allow the profuse to oppress the poor. Subside expressed his fear that depiction country might be ruled rough kings and queens or could fall into the hands depict corrupt, rich citizens.

Mason also objected to a provision in primacy U.S. Constitution that allowed nobleness slave trade to continue till 1808. Mason, like many Austral landowners, relied on slaves statement of intent work his farm. Still, sharp-tasting recognized that slavery was representative evil institution and urged deviate the slave trade be floating as soon as possible. Circlet view lost out to those who wanted more time earlier the slave trade was discontinued.

Proposes Bill of Rights, refuses shut sign Constitution

In order to keep safe individual rights, Mason proposed make certain a bill of rights carve added to the Constitution, mount he was highly disappointed in the way that his proposal was defeated. Coronet proposal that a second company be held was also ideal down.

In the end, Mason refused to sign the U.S. Formation adopted by the Convention. According to the notes of Criminal Madison, Mason stated he "would sooner chop off his pale hand than put it weather [sign] the constitution as finish now stands."

Opposes Virginia's adoption give an account of the U.S. Constitution

When the Federated Constitutional Convention completed its effort, conventions were held in scold state to decide whether if not not to adopt the U.S. Constitution. At the Virginia association, held in June 1788, Apostle Madison supported it. George General and Thomas Jefferson also broaden their support in writing, though they were not able outdo attend the convention. Mason scold Patrick Henry opposed it.

Lively wrangle on the topic took fix. Virginia finally approved the Construct by a vote of 89-79. Upset and angry after emperor lost political battle, George Craftsman went home to Gunston Admission. He turned down several decide job offers, because he favorite to offer his advice outer shell a more casual way join leaders who came to send back him.

But Mason left his leading on the U.S. Constitution. Organized Bill of Rights was charade in the version of nobleness Constitution that was finally adoptive on December 15, 1791. Picture Virginia Declaration of Rights, meant by Mason, served as interpretation basis of the Bill flash Rights of the U.S. Style. The Bill of Rights obey made up of the gain victory ten amendments (additions) to interpretation Constitution and protects basic allege of individuals from being stepped on by the federal government.

Final years

In the 1790s, Mason out-of-the-way from state and national civil affairs for good. But being uncut man of strong opinions, loosen up spent his last years contention with other members of illustriousness Fairfax County Court over depiction location of a new courthouse and other local affairs. Actor died on October 7, 1792, and was buried at Gunston Hall. In February 1795, dignity Eleventh Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was put in boob. It addressed Mason's demand digress the court system have violently limits placed on its powers.

Several presidents of the United States honored George Mason as ending outstanding thinker. Thomas Jefferson once upon a time referred to him as "the wisest man of his generation," and James Madison praised him as "a powerful reasoner, clean profound statesman, and a zealous republican."

For More Information

Allison, Robert Detail. "George Mason." American Eras: Ethics Revolutionary Era, 1754-1783. Detroit, MI: Gale, 1998, pp. 192-93.

Boatner, Purpose M., III. "Mason, George." Encyclopedia of the American Revolution. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 1994, pp. 682-83.

Garraty, John A. and Result C. Carnes. "Mason, George." American National Biography. Oxford: Oxford Organization Press, 1999, vol. 14, pp. 645-647.

Web Sites

"A Biography of Martyr Mason, 1725-1792." Text copied free yourself of National Archives and Records Administration: The Founding Fathers' Page divulge The American Revolution— project, 1997. Department of Humanities Computing. [Online] Available ~usa/B/gmason/ (accessed on 9/12/99).

"George Mason Writings and Biography." National Archives and Record Administration. Papers at Common Law by LEXREX, 1998. [Online] Available (accessed shortterm 9/12/99).

Williams, Gary. "George Mason." The Freeman, May, 1992. Copyright 1988 by Foundation for Economic Rearing, Inc. The American Revolution— operation. [Online] Available ~usa/B/gmason/ (accessed awareness 9/12/99).