Oliver Ellsworth - Service during the Revolutionary War, Work on the United States Constitution, Achievements as a legislator

Public official and jurist, born in Windsor, Connecticut, USA. A lawyer prominent in Connecticut politics, he served in the Continental Congress (1777–83) and was a major figure at the Constitutional Convention in 1787, contributing to the Connecticut Compromise, under which the Senate represents states and the House represents population. As one of Connecticut's first two senators (1789–96), he played a major role in proposing the Bill of Rights and other fundamentals of the US government. President Washington appointed him Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court (1796–1800); while serving (1799), he went to Paris to negotiate a treaty that averted a war with France. Poor health forced him to resign in 1800.

Oliver Ellsworth
3rd Chief Justice of the United States
In office
March 8, 1796 – December 15, 1800
Preceded by	John Rutledge
Succeeded by	John Marshall
Born	April 29, 1745 Windsor, Connecticut
Died	November 26, 1807 Windsor, Connecticut

Oliver Ellsworth (April 29, 1745 – November 26, 1807), an American lawyer and politician, was a revolutionary against British rule, a drafter of the United States Constitution, and third Chief Justice of the United States.

Service during the Revolutionary War

From a slow start, Ellsworth built up a prosperous law practice. His reputation as an able and industrious jurist grew, and, in 1777, Ellsworth became Connecticut's state attorney for Hartford County. As a member of the Committee of the Pay Table, Oliver Ellsworth was one of the five men who supervised Connecticut's war expenditures.

Work on the United States Constitution

When the Constitutional Convention met in Philadelphia in 1787, Ellsworth once again represented Connecticut and took an active part in the proceedings.

Achievements as a legislator

Ellsworth served as one of Connecticut's first two senators in the new federal government between 1789 and 1796. Ellsworth's other achievements in Congress included framing the measure that admitted North Carolina to the Union, devising the non-intercourse act that forced Rhode Island to join, drawing up the bill to regulate the consular service, and serving on the committee that considered Alexander Hamilton's plan for funding the national debt and for incorporating the First Bank of the United States.

The end of his career

In the spring of 1796, he was appointed Chief Justice of the United States and also served as commissioner to France in 1799 and 1800.