Influence of James Wilson
Jalen Gilmore
Pols 303
Dr. Cody
4/14/2014
James Wilson’s Influence
James Wilson is one of the most influential men in the United States of America’s History. “Scholars familiar with the writings and career of James Wilson are struck by the discrepancy between the status accorded hum by most constitutional historians and the magnitude of his contributions to our founding” (49.The Political Science Reviewer XVII). Wilson was present at the beginning of the United States’ History. He was a member of both Continental Congresses, a signer at the Declaration of Independence, a delegate of Pennsylvania Congress, Pennsylvania representative at the Constitutional Convention, and one of the first justices to the United States Supreme Court.
James Wilson was born in 1742 in Scotland. Wilson earned his collegiate degree from University of St. Andrews in Scotland. Wilson initially intended to be ordained a minister. However, the death of his father lead Wilson to find a job in the colonies. Once in the colonies Wilson begin to study law and then used his law background to start a career in politics. Wilson’s first essay in politics was called “Considerations on the Nature and Extent of the Legislative Authority of the British Parliament” (1. Penn Gazette May-June 2011). In this essay Wilson outlined why the British Parliament cannot rule in the colonies. Wilson argued British Parliament has no right interfering in the affairs of the colonies because they do not have the consent of the governed. Only the British Monarchy can and should have any constitutional relationship with the colonies. In 1775, Wilson was elected to the 2nd Continental Congress as a representative of Pennsylvania. Wilson later signed the declaration of independence. However, he was hesitant because the middle states differed on opinion of whether to stay British or form their own country. Eventually Wilson did sign the declaration of independence; thus, breaking the deadlock and making
Pols 303
Dr. Cody
4/14/2014
James Wilson’s Influence
James Wilson is one of the most influential men in the United States of America’s History. “Scholars familiar with the writings and career of James Wilson are struck by the discrepancy between the status accorded hum by most constitutional historians and the magnitude of his contributions to our founding” (49.The Political Science Reviewer XVII). Wilson was present at the beginning of the United States’ History. He was a member of both Continental Congresses, a signer at the Declaration of Independence, a delegate of Pennsylvania Congress, Pennsylvania representative at the Constitutional Convention, and one of the first justices to the United States Supreme Court.
James Wilson was born in 1742 in Scotland. Wilson earned his collegiate degree from University of St. Andrews in Scotland. Wilson initially intended to be ordained a minister. However, the death of his father lead Wilson to find a job in the colonies. Once in the colonies Wilson begin to study law and then used his law background to start a career in politics. Wilson’s first essay in politics was called “Considerations on the Nature and Extent of the Legislative Authority of the British Parliament” (1. Penn Gazette May-June 2011). In this essay Wilson outlined why the British Parliament cannot rule in the colonies. Wilson argued British Parliament has no right interfering in the affairs of the colonies because they do not have the consent of the governed. Only the British Monarchy can and should have any constitutional relationship with the colonies. In 1775, Wilson was elected to the 2nd Continental Congress as a representative of Pennsylvania. Wilson later signed the declaration of independence. However, he was hesitant because the middle states differed on opinion of whether to stay British or form their own country. Eventually Wilson did sign the declaration of independence; thus, breaking the deadlock and making