James Wilson

James Wilson’s life began as an Atlantic World success story, with mounting intellectual, political, and legal triumphs, but ended as a Greek tragedy. Each achievement brought greater anxiety about his place in the revolutionary world. James Wilson's life story is a testament to the success that tens of thousands of Scottish immigrants achieved after their trans-Atlantic voyage, but it also reminds us that not all had a happy ending. This book provides a more nuanced and complete picture of James Wilson’s contributions in American history. His contributions were far greater than just the attention paid to his legal lectures. His is a very human story of a Scottish immigrant who experienced success and acclaim for his activities on behalf of the American people during his public service, but in his personal affairs, and particularly financial life, he suffered the great heights and deep lows worthy of a Greek tragedy. James Wilson's life is an entry point into the events of the latter half of the 18th century and the impact of the Scottish Enlightenment on American society, discourse, and government.

Michael H. Taylor is professor of US History and Political Science at Northeast Community College, USA.

Acknowledgments Introduction Chapter One: James Wilson Returns to Philadelphia Chapter Two: Leaving Scotland for America Chapter Three: Philadelphia 1768 - James Wilson, William White, and The Visitant Chapter Four: Reading 1768 - On the Edge of Empire Chapter Five: Philadelphia 1787 - The Constitutional Convention Chapter Six: The State House Yard Speech - October 6, 1787 Chapter Seven: The Anti-Federalists Respond Chapter Eight: Twilight Chapter Nine: Lingering Effects - The Wilson/Roosevelt Doctrine Concluding Thoughts - James Wilson's Contribution References Index About the Author