James Wilson

James Wilson - Footballer, Family and Family

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James Wilson Biography Stories 

James Wilson's Personal Details

James Wilson was one the signers of the U.S

InformationDetail
BirthdaySeptember 14, 1742
Died onAugust 21, 1798
NationalityAmerican
FamousUniversity Of Edinburgh, Leaders, Political Leaders, Footballer
SpousesHannah Gray, Rachel Bird
ChildrensEmily Hollingsworth
Universities
  • University Of Edinburgh
  • University of St Andrews
  • University of Edinburgh
  • University of Glasgow
Notable Alumnis
  • University Of Edinburgh
Birth PlaceCarskerdo, Scotland
ReligionAnglican/Episcopalian
GenderMale
FatherWilliam Wilson
MotherAlison Landall
Sun SignVirgo
Born inCarskerdo, Scotland
Famous asEnglish footballer
Died at Age55

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James Wilson's photo

Who is James Wilson?

James Wilson, a lawyer by profession, was one of the many delegates from Pennsylvania who signed the U.S. Declaration of Independence in 1776. A prominent lawyer of his times, he was appointed by the President George Washington as one of the six original justices of the Supreme Court of the U.S which was established by the U.S. Constitution in 1789. A man of revolutionary ideas, he published a pamphlet during the British rule arguing that the British Parliament had no authority to pass laws for the American colonies since the parliament had no representatives from the colonies. Wilson strongly believed that all humans are born free and was very vocal in his support for independence from the British government. He was elected to the Continental Congress twice, and as a congress member, he was the most outspoken and active individual who never feared to express what he felt. He is considered to be one of the most learned among the Founding Fathers of the U.S. He not only signed the Declaration of Independence, but was also one of those delegates who contributed towards framing and drafting of the Constitution of the U.S. Wilson is also regarded as one of the first legal philosophers of America.

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Childhood & Early Life

James Wilson was born to William Wilson and Alison Landall in Scotland. He had six siblings. His father was a hard working and respectable farmer.

He earned a scholarship to study at the United College of St. Salvator and St. Leonard at the University of St. Andrews when he was just 15. He had a profound interest in the study of philosophy and logic.

He graduated from St. Andrews in 1762 and continued his studies at the Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow where he studied about the great thinkers of the Scottish Enlightenment period like Adam Smith, John Locke and David Hume.

Career

In 1766, he moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and found a teaching position at The Academy and College of Philadelphia, now known as the University of Pennsylvania. He applied for a degree there and was given an honorary Master of Arts after some months.

He began to study law under the famous lawyer cum politician, John Dickinson, and was accepted into the bar in Philadelphia in 1767.

He established his own law practice in the city of Reading. With his intelligence and business acumen, his practice was soon very successful and he became quite wealthy.

His fame spread far and he handled cases from eight local counties. He returned to Philadelphia in 1770 and continued lecturing at The Academy and College of Philadelphia.

In 1774, he was elected as a member of the Committee of Correspondence at Carlisle. He published a pamphlet, "Considerations on the Nature and Extent of the Legislative Authority of the British Parliament" in which he argued that the British government had no right to pass laws for the American colonies.

He was elected to the Continental Congress in 1775 where he joined the most revolutionary members in demanding for independence. The same year he was also commissioned as a Colonel in the Pennsylvania State Military.

In June 1776, a two day debate was held over Lee’s resolution for independence in which seven colonies were in favour of independence while five were against. Wilson, along with others requested that the date of voting be postponed so that everyone gets enough time to reconsider their thoughts.

The final date for the vote for independence was fixed as 2 July 1776—on this date the vote was cast unanimously in favour of independence. He signed the Declaration of Independence on 2 August along with many other delegates.

When the states started writing state constitutions after independence, he protested against the Pennsylvanian constitution as it called for a unicameral legislature. He was expelled from the congress because of this in 1777.

He went to Philadelphia and became a corporate counselor in 1778, and was selected as the advocate general for France in America in 1779, holding this post till 1783.

The Bank of North America, the first bank with modern facilities in the U.S, was founded in July 1780. Wilson acted as the legal advisor to Robert Morris during its formation.

He became a congress member once again in 1782 and served for five years till 1787, though not regularly.

He was a member of the Committee of detail which was established in 1787 to prepare the first draft of the U.S. Constitution. At the Constitutional Convention, he played a significant role in drafting the new federal constitution. The Constitution was adopted on 17 September 1787.

The President George Washington made him an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court in 1791. He held this post till his death in 1798.

Major Works

As a politician, his biggest achievement is the signing of the U.S. Declaration of Independence on behalf of Pennsylvania in 1776. He was a brilliant lawyer who played a major role in framing the new Constitution of the U.S. in 1787.

Personal Life & Legacy

He married Rachel Bird, daughter of William Bird, in 1771. They were blessed with six children. Rachel died in 1786.

He married for the second time in 1793. His second wife Hannah Gray gave birth to a son who died in childhood.

In spite of being a respectable public figure during his hey days, he spent his final years in misery. He suffered from financial problems and spent his last years escaping from creditors. He died at the age of 55 in 1798.

Trivia

Though considered a devoted public servant, he was criticized for running after fame and reputation.

He is called ‘The Architect of the Constitution’.

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James Wilson biography timelines

  • // 14th Sep 1742
    James Wilson was born to William Wilson and Alison Landall in Scotland. He had six siblings. His father was a hard working and respectable farmer.
  • // 1762
    He graduated from St. Andrews in 1762 and continued his studies at the Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow where he studied about the great thinkers of the Scottish Enlightenment period like Adam Smith, John Locke and David Hume.
  • // 1766
    In 1766, he moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and found a teaching position at The Academy and College of Philadelphia, now known as the University of Pennsylvania. He applied for a degree there and was given an honorary Master of Arts after some months.
  • // 1767
    He began to study law under the famous lawyer cum politician, John Dickinson, and was accepted into the bar in Philadelphia in 1767.
  • // 1770
    His fame spread far and he handled cases from eight local counties. He returned to Philadelphia in 1770 and continued lecturing at The Academy and College of Philadelphia.
  • // 1771 To 1786
    He married Rachel Bird, daughter of William Bird, in 1771. They were blessed with six children. Rachel died in 1786.
  • // 1774
    In 1774, he was elected as a member of the Committee of Correspondence at Carlisle. He published a pamphlet, "Considerations on the Nature and Extent of the Legislative Authority of the British Parliament" in which he argued that the British government had no right to pass laws for the American colonies.
  • // 1775
    He was elected to the Continental Congress in 1775 where he joined the most revolutionary members in demanding for independence. The same year he was also commissioned as a Colonel in the Pennsylvania State Military.
  • // Jun 1776
    In June 1776, a two day debate was held over Lee’s resolution for independence in which seven colonies were in favour of independence while five were against. Wilson, along with others requested that the date of voting be postponed so that everyone gets enough time to reconsider their thoughts.
  • // 2nd Aug 1776
    The final date for the vote for independence was fixed as 2 July 1776—on this date the vote was cast unanimously in favour of independence. He signed the Declaration of Independence on 2 August along with many other delegates.
  • // 1777
    When the states started writing state constitutions after independence, he protested against the Pennsylvanian constitution as it called for a unicameral legislature. He was expelled from the congress because of this in 1777.
  • // 1779 To 1783
    He went to Philadelphia and became a corporate counselor in 1778, and was selected as the advocate general for France in America in 1779, holding this post till 1783.
  • // 1780
    The Bank of North America, the first bank with modern facilities in the U.S, was founded in July 1780. Wilson acted as the legal advisor to Robert Morris during its formation.
  • // 1782 To 1787
    He became a congress member once again in 1782 and served for five years till 1787, though not regularly.
  • // 1787
    He was a member of the Committee of detail which was established in 1787 to prepare the first draft of the U.S. Constitution. At the Constitutional Convention, he played a significant role in drafting the new federal constitution. The Constitution was adopted on 17 September 1787.
  • // 1791 To 1798
    The President George Washington made him an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court in 1791. He held this post till his death in 1798.
  • // 1793
    He married for the second time in 1793. His second wife Hannah Gray gave birth to a son who died in childhood.
  • // 28th Aug 1798
    In spite of being a respectable public figure during his hey days, he spent his final years in misery. He suffered from financial problems and spent his last years escaping from creditors. He died at the age of 55 in 1798.

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James Wilson's FAQ

  • What is James Wilson birthday?

    James Wilson was born at 1742-09-14

  • When was James Wilson died?

    James Wilson was died at 1798-08-21

  • Where was James Wilson died?

    James Wilson was died in Edenton

  • Which age was James Wilson died?

    James Wilson was died at age 55

  • Where is James Wilson's birth place?

    James Wilson was born in Carskerdo, Scotland

  • What is James Wilson nationalities?

    James Wilson's nationalities is American

  • Who is James Wilson spouses?

    James Wilson's spouses is Hannah Gray, Rachel Bird

  • Who is James Wilson childrens?

    James Wilson's childrens is Emily Hollingsworth

  • What was James Wilson universities?

    James Wilson studied at University Of Edinburgh, University of St Andrews, University of Edinburgh, University of Glasgow

  • What was James Wilson notable alumnis?

    James Wilson's notable alumnis is University Of Edinburgh

  • What is James Wilson's religion?

    James Wilson's religion is Anglican/Episcopalian

  • Who is James Wilson's father?

    James Wilson's father is William Wilson

  • Who is James Wilson's mother?

    James Wilson's mother is Alison Landall

  • What is James Wilson's sun sign?

    James Wilson is Virgo

  • How famous is James Wilson?

    James Wilson is famouse as English footballer