Elbridge Gerry
- Born:
- July 17, 1744, Marblehead, Province of Massachusetts Bay
- Died:
- November 23, 1814, Washington, D.C., United States
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Politician, Diplomat, Founding Father of the United States
Early Life and Education
- Graduated from Harvard College in 1762.
- Entered his father's merchant shipping business.
Career and Major Achievements
- Delegate to the Continental Congress (1776-1781, 1783-1785).
- Signed the Declaration of Independence.
- Delegate to the Constitutional Convention (1787). Initially opposed ratification of the Constitution without a Bill of Rights, but later supported it.
- U.S. Representative from Massachusetts (1789-1793).
- Governor of Massachusetts (1810-1812).
- Vice President of the United States under James Madison (1813-1814).
Notable Works
- Signed the Declaration of Independence.
- Helped shape the Bill of Rights through his initial opposition to the Constitution without explicit protections of individual liberties.
- His tenure as Governor of Massachusetts gave rise to the term "gerrymandering," due to a redrawing of state senate districts.
Legacy and Impact
Elbridge Gerry played a significant role in the founding of the United States, contributing to the development of key documents and holding high-ranking positions. While remembered for his contributions to American independence, his name is also associated with "gerrymandering," a practice that continues to be debated and contested in modern politics. Information regarding his life and career can be considered when constructing an 'elbridge gerry biography guam' entry for historical records.