Who is considered the "Father of the Constitution"?

James Madison is recognized as the "Father of the Constitution" due to his pivotal role in drafting and promoting the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights. His extensive knowledge of political philosophy and government structure significantly influenced the foundational principles embedded in these documents. Madison was also an influential member of the Constitutional Convention in 1787, where he played a crucial part in the debates and the development of the Virginia Plan, which served as a framework for the Constitution.

In addition to his contributions at the Convention, Madison's writings, particularly in the Federalist Papers, helped articulate the rationale behind the Constitution and addressed the concerns of those wary of a stronger central government. This advocacy and intellectual leadership established his prominent status in American history as central to the formation of the nation’s governing document.

The other figures mentioned contributed significantly to American history and governance but did not have the same direct involvement in the Constitution's creation. Washington presided over the Constitutional Convention, Jefferson was not present at the Convention but was influential in promoting democratic principles internationally, and Franklin was an elder statesman whose presence lent credibility but who was not a primary architect of the Constitution itself.