Gouverneur Morris and American Founding Principles with Dennis Rasmussen | BRI Scholar Talks
In this episode of BRI Scholar Talks, political scientist Dennis Rasmussen, author of The Constitution’s Penman: Gouverneur Morris and the Creation of America’s Basic Charter, joins host Tony Williams to explore the life and legacy of one of the most fascinating yet overlooked Founders, Gouverneur Morris.
Drawing from his recent book and years of scholarship, Rasmussen examines how Morris shaped American constitutional principles as both draftsman of the U.S. Constitution and author of its famous Preamble, beginning with “We the People.” The conversation delves into Morris’s pivotal influence at the Constitutional Convention, his design of the presidency and judiciary, his moral courage in denouncing slavery, and his vibrant, unconventional life that spanned revolution, diplomacy, and urban planning.
