Early Life

George Mason was born on December 11, 1725, in Fairfax County, Virginia. At the age of ten, he lost his father in a boating accident. This event left Mason as the heir to large tracts of land in Massachusetts and Virginia. In 1735, he moved in with his uncle, John Mercer, whose extensive library of over 500 books on law inspired Mason's love of learning. In his early twenties, Mason studied law and managed his plantation. By 1749, he became a member of the Ohio Company, which developed land along the Ohio River and western territories.

The Fairfax Resolves

In 1750, Mason married Ann Eilbeck, and they had twelve children, nine of whom survived into adulthood. Mason became involved in local politics as a justice in the Fairfax County courts and, in 1759, was elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses. That same year, he and his family moved to Gunston Hall, their plantation on the Potomac River. In 1774, Mason wrote the Fairfax Resolves, a document opposing the British blockade of Boston Harbor following the Boston Tea Party. It called for a boycott of British goods and even proposed abolishing slavery.

The Virginia Declaration of Rights

In 1776, Mason authored the Virginia Declaration of Rights, a groundbreaking document that asserted individual rights and emphasized life, liberty, happiness, and safety for all. This document influenced other colonies and served as the foundation for the United States Bill of Rights.

Refusing to Sign the U.S. Constitution

In 1786, Mason attended the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia as a Virginia delegate. Though active in drafting the new framework, he refused to sign the U.S. Constitution because it lacked a declaration of rights. His refusal angered many, including George Washington, and damaged their friendship. However, Mason’s stance helped ensure the eventual inclusion of the Bill of Rights in 1791.

Later Life and Legacy

George Mason died in 1792 at his home, Gunston Hall. Today, his legacy lives on through George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, which bears his name.

Most Famous Quote

"All men are by nature equally free and independent, and have certain inherent rights..." – George Mason, Virginia Declaration of Rights (1776)

Discussion Questions

1. Why did George Mason refuse to sign the U.S. Constitution?
2. How did the Virginia Declaration of Rights influence American history?
3. What were the main goals of the Fairfax Resolves?
4. How did George Mason’s upbringing influence his beliefs about individual rights?

Glossary

• Articles of Confederation: The first constitution of the United States, later replaced by the current U.S. Constitution.
• Bill of Rights: The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution guaranteeing individual freedoms.
• House of Burgesses: The first elected legislative body in colonial America, located in Virginia.
• Fairfax Resolves: A 1774 document written by Mason outlining colonial objections to British policies.

Five Interesting Facts

1. George Mason inherited large estates at just ten years old.
2. He owned over 500 law books from his uncle’s library as a child.
3. Mason proposed abolishing slavery in 1774, decades before it happened.
4. He authored the Virginia Declaration of Rights, which influenced the U.S. Bill of Rights.
5. Mason’s refusal to sign the Constitution strained his friendship with George Washington.

Timeline of George Mason’s Life

1. 1725: Born in Fairfax County, Virginia.
2. 1735: Moved in with his uncle John Mercer.
3. 1749: Joined the Ohio Company.
4. 1750: Married Ann Eilbeck.
5. 1759: Elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses.
6. 1759: Moved to Gunston Hall.
7. 1774: Wrote the Fairfax Resolves.
8. 1776: Authored the Virginia Declaration of Rights.
9. 1786: Served as Virginia delegate to Constitutional Convention.
10. 1787: Refused to sign the U.S. Constitution.
11. 1791: Bill of Rights added to the Constitution.
12. 1792: Died at Gunston Hall.