You're listening to an airwave media podcast.

Ben Franklin's world is podcast dedicated to helping you, learn more about how the people

and events of our early American past have shaped the present day world we live in.

And I'm your host, Liz Kovart.

On September 17, 1787, the members of the Constitutional Convention concluded their work by signing

the final draft of their new proposed government. The document they signed was the

United States Constitution, which is why the United States marks Constitution Day each

year on September 17. In honor of Constitution Day, I thought we'd explore the life of a

founder who played a really large role in the creation and shaping of the United

States Constitution, but he's a founder we don't hear much about.

And that founder is James Wilson.

Michael H. Taylor is a professor of United States history and political science

at Northeast Community College in Norfolk, Nebraska. He's also the author of the book, James

Wilson, the anxious founder. Now if you've never heard of James Wilson or if you've

heard of him, but can't recall anything more than he was an inaugural member of the United States Supreme Court.

No worries. Most people I have found have never even heard of James Wilson,

which is why we'll have Michael take us through Wilson's life in his very important role in framing the United States Constitution.

Now during our exploration of Wilson's life, Michael reveals what we know about James Wilson's birth and his early life in Scotland.

Information about Wilson's interest in the law and why he migrated to Pennsylvania to practice law.

And the important roles Wilson played in both the framing and ratification of the United States Constitution.

But first, speaking of commemorative days, on October 12, 2023, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation will honor the

250th anniversary of the founding of the public hospital. The public hospital

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