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"Lawyer-jurist '''Gunning Bedford, Jr.''', one of the most outspoken delegates at the Convention and a small-State spokesman, was a Philadelphian who moved to [[Delaware]]. He bore arms in the War for Independence and served as a Delegate to the Continental Congress, attorney general of Delaware, and Federal judge." <ref>http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/constitution/bio3.htm</ref>

"Lawyer-jurist '''Gunning Bedford, Jr.''', one of the most outspoken delegates at the Convention and a small-State spokesman, was a Philadelphian who moved to [[Delaware]]. He bore arms in the War for Independence and served as a Delegate to the Continental Congress, attorney general of Delaware, and Federal judge." <ref>http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/constitution/bio3.htm</ref>

==Early Life==

==Early life==

"Bedford was born in 1747 at [[Philadelphia]] and reared there. The fifth of seven children, he was descended from a distinguished family that originally settled in [[Jamestown]], VA. He usually referred to himself as Gunning Bedford, Jr., to avoid confusion with his cousin and contemporary Delaware statesman and soldier, Col. Gunning Bedford.

"Bedford was born in 1747 at [[Philadelphia]] and reared there. The fifth of seven children, he was descended from a distinguished family that originally settled in [[Jamestown]], VA. He usually referred to himself as Gunning Bedford, Jr., to avoid confusion with his cousin and contemporary Delaware statesman and soldier, Col. Gunning Bedford.

He served in the [[Continental Army]], possibly as an aide to [[George Washington|General Washington]].

He served in the [[Continental Army]], possibly as an aide to [[George Washington|General Washington]].

Following the war, Bedford figured prominently in the politics of his state and nation. He sat in the legislature, on the state council, and in the [[Continental Congress]] (1783-85). In the latter year, he was chosen as a delegate to the [[Annapolis Convention]] but for some reason did not attend. From 1784 to 1789 he was [[attorney general]] of Delaware.

Following the war, Bedford figured prominently in the politics of his state and nation. He sat in the legislature, on the state council, and in the [[Continental Congress]] (1783–85). In the latter year, he was chosen as a delegate to the [[Annapolis Convention]] but for some reason did not attend. From 1784 to 1789 he was [[attorney general]] of Delaware.

Bedford numbered among the more active members of the [[Constitutional Convention]], and he missed few sessions. Other members of the Delaware delegation to the Convention were [[Richard Bassett]], [[Jacob Broom]], [[John Dickinson]], and [[George Read]]. A large and forceful man, he spoke on several occasions and was a member of the committee that drafted the [[Great Compromise]]. An ardent small-state advocate, he attacked the pretensions of the large states over the small and warned that the latter might be forced to seek foreign alliances unless their interests were accommodated. He attended the Delaware ratifying convention.

Bedford numbered among the more active members of the [[Constitutional Convention]], and he missed few sessions. Other members of the Delaware delegation to the Convention were [[Richard Bassett]], [[Jacob Broom]], [[John Dickinson]], and [[George Read]]. A large and forceful man, he spoke on several occasions and was a member of the committee that drafted the [[Great Compromise]]. An ardent small-state advocate, he attacked the pretensions of the large states over the small and warned that the latter might be forced to seek foreign alliances unless their interests were accommodated. He attended the Delaware ratifying convention.

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{{reflist|2}}

==External Links==

==External links==

*http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/books/RevWar/ss/bedford.htm

*http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/books/RevWar/ss/bedford.htm

*http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/constitution/bio3.htm

*http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/constitution/bio3.htm

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{{Constitutional Convention}}

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[[Category: Founding Fathers]]

[[Category:Founding Fathers]]