Wilson, James (1742-1798), a prominent Pennsylvania lawyer, was one of six people who signed both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States. At the 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, his influence was probably surpassed only by that of Virginia delegate James Madison. Wilson spoke 168 times at the convention. He also demonstrated his understanding of political theory in dealing with convention issues. Wilson argued for a strong national government whose authority would be based in the will of the people. He favored direct election of the chief executive and of both houses of the legislature. Wilson was largely responsible for Pennsylvania’s ratification (approval) of the Constitution.
Wilson was born on Sept. 14, 1742, in Carskerdo, near St. Andrews, Scotland. He moved to America in 1765 and became a successful lawyer in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Wilson was elected to the Second Continental Congress, which adopted the Declaration of Independence in 1776. He served in the Congress of the Confederation in 1783, 1785, and 1786. Wilson was appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1789. In the 1793 case of Chisholm v. Georgia, he asserted the right of the court to decide cases brought against states. He died on Aug. 21, 1798.
