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 George Mason was an active delegate and vocal debater at the Constitutional Convention. He is considered an Anti Federalist but some of his viewpoints lingered on the line of Federalist. Mason was one of the first people to want freedom of the press, religious tolerance, and the right to a trial by jury. He was also a member of Virginia’s Ratifying Convention.
 * __George Mason __**

 Mason was one of three delegates who ended up refusing to sign the Constitution. This was mainly because the constitution at the time lacked a bill of rights. Mason was the main author of The Virginia Constitutions bill of rights. He was distressed over the power being given to the federal government, and the fact that the delegates refused to abolish the slave trade. Mason showed qualities of a federalist when he said that he “generally supports James Madison’s wishes for a stronger national government with a strong executive.” It was Madison indeed that pursued the Bill of Rights and echoed Mason’s Declaration of Rights. He showed Anti Federalist qualities when he said that he “feared the potential dangers of creating a new tyrant.”

 He represented the southern state of Virginia. He was a rich planter. He was also a judge for Fairfax County Court, and a trustee of the city of Alexandria. His prior political experience is being in the State Lower House of Virginia, and the Virginia State Constitutional Convention, he also assisted in drawing up the Fairfax Resolves which dealt with the Boston Port Act. He supported the disestablishment of the church, and was active in the organization of military affairs.

"Delegates to the Constitutional Convention: George Mason." //Teachingamericanhistory.org//. 2006. Web. 09 Feb. 2012. .

Dudley, William. "The Executive Should Be a Committee." //The Creation of the Constitution: Opposing Viewpoints//. San Diego, CA: Greenhaven, 1995. 170-74. Print.

"GEORGE MASON." //Welcome to Gunston Hall//. Gunston Hall. Web. 09 Feb. 2012. .

**Mason, George. "The Papers of George Mason." //The Creation of the Constitution: Opposing Viewpoints//. San Diego, CA: Greenhaven, 1995. 171. Print.