An Assembly of Demigods

Gleaned from thousands of Revolutionary-era letters, diaries, and newspapers, John P. Kaminski and Timothy D. Moore have compiled word portraits for all 55 delegates at the Constitutional Convention. A few of the delegates had continental reputations. Most were prominent and well known within their home states. Some knew each other well because of their service in the army or in Congress, while others were just barely acquainted.

Taken from An Assembly of Demigods, these “word portraits” listed here focus on the character, personality traits, physical descriptions, and intellectual prowess of 17 delegates at the Philadelphia Convention in 1787. They are both insightful and entertaining, revealing much that has been veiled by the fog of history.

Connecticut

Delaware

Georgia

Maryland

Massachusetts

New Hampshire

New York

North Carolina

Pennsylvania

South Carolina

Virginia