Gouverneur Morris

Gouverneur Morris (January 31,1752–November 8,1816), an American statesman, represented Pennsylvania in the Constitutional Convention of 1787 and was author of large sections of the Constitution of the United States. The noble phrases of that document's preamble--"We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union"--sprang from his gifted mind.

Early Years

He was born in 1752 on his family's estate in a section of Westchester County, New York that would later become incorporated into New York City as the Bronx. The land of his family's estate would later become the Morrisania neighborhood.

Related Topics:
1752 - Westchester County - New York - New York City - Bronx - Morrisania

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The only child of his father's second marriage, he was not expected to receive a substantial inheritance and thus pursued a vigorous education. During childhood, his right arm was severely damaged by scalding water, causing a lifetime disability. In 1779, at age 28, Morris shattered his leg in a carriage accident, and the leg was amputated.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

At the age of 12, Morris enrolled in King's College (now Columbia University) in New York City and graduated four years later in 1768. In 1771, received a master's degree. He then studied for three years under the prominent New York City lawyer William Smith, who was a strong opponent of the British government's policies in North America. During these years, he honed a strong philosophy on liberty and made numerous personal contacts that would later advance his political career http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/books/RevWar/ss/morrisg.htm.

Related Topics:
Columbia University - New York City - 1768 - 1771

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~