Fifty-six men signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Thirty-nine men signed the Constitution in 1787.
How many signed both?
Bonus question.
How many states were there when George Washington became president on April 30, 1789?
The answers are in a comment.
The answer:
Just six signed both.
Benjamin Franklin, Robert Morris, James Wilson and George Clymer of Pennsylvania.
Roger Sherman of Connecticut.
George Read of Delaware.
There were 11 states in April 1789. North Carolina did not ratify the Constitution until November; Rhode Island not until 1790.
I know nada.
Any idea of why there was so little overlap?
Doc Doc:
I’d assume it’s because many of them weren’t alive anymore. The life expectancy was shorter then.
Yes, that was snark.
One-fourth of the 56 had, in fact, died.
Two of the most prominent signers of the Declaration, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, were overseas as American diplomats.
Some were opposed to a strong national government and weren’t delegates in 1787, most prominently Sam Adams.
Elbridge Gerry (Massachusetts) attended the Constitutional Convention but was one of three still present at the end who refused to sign.
Benjamin Franklin, who did sign both, was the oldest signer both times (70 and 81).