Roger Sherman

Date of Birth: April 19, 1721

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Date of Death: July 23, 1793

Biography

Roger Sherman was an American politician, lawyer, and Founding Father of the United States. He was born on April 19, 1721, in Newton, Massachusetts. Sherman was a key figure in the early American political landscape and is notable for his role in drafting and signing several foundational documents, including the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the United States Constitution. He was the only person to sign all four major documents of the American Revolution: the Continental Association, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the United States Constitution. Sherman began his career as a surveyor and later became a successful lawyer and politician. He served in various capacities, including as a justice of the peace, a member of the Connecticut General Assembly, and a judge of the Superior Court. His political career continued to flourish as he served in the Continental Congress and played a crucial role in shaping the new nation’s government. He passed away on July 23, 1793, in New Haven, Connecticut.

5 Interesting Facts about Roger Sherman

1. Roger Sherman was a self-taught lawyer; he never attended college but passed the bar exam through self-study.

2. He was instrumental in the drafting of the Great Compromise, which helped shape the structure of the U.S. Congress.

3. Sherman was a devout Christian and often incorporated his religious beliefs into his political decisions.

4. He served as the Mayor of New Haven from 1784 to 1786.

5. Sherman was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention and played a key role in the debates and formation of the U.S. Constitution.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Roger Sherman

1. “The people are the rightful masters of both Congresses and courts, not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow the men who pervert it.”

2. “Sad will be the day when the American people forget their traditions and their history, and no longer remember that the country they love, the institutions they cherish, and the freedom they hope to preserve were born in the throes of armed resistance to tyranny and nursed in the rugged arms of fearless men.”

3. “Let us live no more to ourselves, but to Him who loved us, and gave Himself to die for us.”

4. “A good government, of whatever kind, must be made by the people and for the people, and must be conducted for the benefit of the people and not for the benefit of those who govern.”

5. “The Constitution is the guide which I never will abandon.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Roger Sherman did not accumulate significant wealth during his lifetime, as his primary focus was on public service rather than personal gain. Thus, his highest net worth is not well-documented but is believed to have been modest.

Children

Roger Sherman had fifteen children from two marriages. His first marriage to Elizabeth Hartwell produced seven children, and his second marriage to Rebecca Minot Prescott resulted in eight children. Some of his children went on to have notable careers, contributing to various fields such as politics, law, and business.