Gouverneur Morris

Gouverneur Morris (January 31, 1752 – November 6, 1816) was an American politician and diplomat from New York City. He was born and died in Morrisiana, which is now part of The Bronx, New York City, and went to college at King's College, New York (now Columbia University). He was a delegate to the Continental Congress from New York in the 1770s.  

In the 1780s, he moved to Philadelphia and was the assistant superintendent of finance. He was also a delegate to the Constitutional Convention from Pennsylvania and was very active there. He gave 173 speeches, more than any other delgate. Morris wrote the Preamble and many of the sections of the U.S. Constitution.  Later, he served as ambassador to France from 1792 to 1794.  He was a U.S. Senator from 1800 to 1803.  

Late in life, Morris was head of the group that built the Erie Canal. He wanted a strong central government and for people to think of themselves mostly as in the United States, rather than their state. He also spoke out against slavery. 

Morris a wooden leg because he lost his leg in a carriage accident in 1780.Swiggert, pp. 192, 162, 179, 190.  He is also noted for keeping a diary of his life. 

References

Category:1752 births
Category:1816 deaths
Category:politicians from New York City
Category:Signers of the United States Constitution
Category:American deists
Category:People from the Bronx