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'''George Mason''' (1725-1792) was one of the [[Founding Fathers]] of the [[United States of America]]. He was an influential member of the [[Virginia House of Burgesses]] and the Virginia Convention. He was a [[Virginia]] tobacco planter who grew wealthy using slave labor.  Mason wrote both the Virginia Declaration of Rights in 1776 and the Virginia state constitution, but he is best known for his refusal to sign the Constitution for many reasons. The most important reason was the lack of a bill of rights. Mason wrote the very first document about the U.S. Constitution; he used a printed draft of the Constitution and wrote his Objections on the reverse. His opposition played a large role in the addition of the Bill of Rights (the first ten constitutional amendments) in 1791.  He did not hold major office after 1787.

'''George Mason''' (1725-1792) was one of the [[Founding Fathers]] of the [[United States of America]]. He was an influential member of the Virginia House of Burgesses and the Virginia Convention. He was a [[Virginia]] tobacco planter who grew wealthy using slave labor.  Mason wrote both the Virginia Declaration of Rights in 1776 and the Virginia state constitution, but he is best known for his refusal to sign the Constitution for many reasons. The most important reason was the lack of a bill of rights. Mason wrote the very first document about the U.S. Constitution; he used a printed draft of the Constitution and wrote his Objections on the reverse. His opposition played a large role in the addition of the Bill of Rights (the first ten constitutional amendments) in 1791.  He did not hold major office after 1787.

==Career==

==Career==

Mason inherited tobacco lands in Virginia and Maryland of 15,000 acres including 5,500 at Gunston Hall, and eventually more 75,000 acres elsewhere. He served as a town trustee of Alexandria, Virginia, and as a vestryman of the local Anglican church.  Mason was the second largest slave holder in Fairfax County after George Washington. Washington held approximately 300 slaves at Mount Vernon, Mason probably had about 100 slaves. Unlike his friend [[George Washington]], Mason never freed the slaves he owned.  

Mason inherited tobacco lands in Virginia and Maryland of 15,000 acres including 5,500 at Gunston Hall, and eventually more 75,000 acres elsewhere. He served as a town trustee of Alexandria, Virginia, and as a vestryman of the local Anglican church.  Mason was the second largest slave holder in Fairfax County after George Washington. Washington held approximately 300 slaves at Mount Vernon, Mason probably had about 100 slaves. Unlike his friend [[George Washington]], Mason never freed the slaves he owned.