Elbridge Gerry served many roles in the founding of our country. He signed the Declaration of Independence, represented the state of Massachusetts at the Constitutional Convention, and served as the fifth Vice President of the United States.
Political Career
Gerry was a merchant by trade and helped coordinate supplies during the Revolutionary War. He went on to serve in the Continental Congress, where he specialized in military and financial matters. Gerry also served as a member of the Confederation Congress from 1783-1785. As described by the National Archives:
Gerry numbered among those who had possessed talent as Revolutionary agitators and wartime leaders but who could not effectually cope with the painstaking task of stabilizing the national government. He was experienced and conscientious but created many enemies with his lack of humor, suspicion of the motives of others, and obsessive fear of political and military tyranny.
Constitutional Convention
Gerry was a prominent member of the Constitutional Convention in 1787. He chaired the First Committee of Representation, which later became known simply as the “Gerry Committee.” The Committee’s job was to resolve an impasse regarding representation in the national legislature, which it did through the “Great Compromise.”
Although characterized as a moderate, Gerry was a vocal critic of many provisions of the emerging Constitution, including the power given to Congress and the lack of protection for individual rights. The Convention adopted his proposals regarding the prohibition against bills of attainder and ex post facto laws. However, Gerry also had the reputation for being a contrarian. According to a fellow delegate, he “objected to everything he did not propose.”
Gerry was a vocal supporter of the inclusion of a bill of rights in the Constitution to protect individual liberties. After several such proposals were rejected, he refused to sign the Constitution and instead called for a second Constitutional Convention. Gerry also initially argued against ratification, but ultimately supported the state of Massachusetts’ decision to approve the Constitution with recommendations for amendments. He subsequently worked to foster for amendments “adapted to the ‘exigencies of Government’ & the preservation of Liberty.”
Governor of Massachusetts
Gerry later served two terms as Governor of Massachusetts, but was highly criticized for his partisan politics at the end of his second term. More famously, he advocated a redistricting plan designed to ensure that his party (Democratic-Republican) won control of the state senate. The salamander-shaped district inspired the pun “gerrymander,” which is still used today.
Despite his unpopularity at home, Gerry went on to serve as the Vice President of the United States under James Madison from 1813-1814. He died in office.
