James Madison, on every day of the nearly four months that the convention lasted, placed himself in the center of the room, well-positioned to take notes on the proceedings. He was not the official secretary of the convention; however, the official secretary, Major William Jackson, accepted the job for the money that it paid him. Major Jackson did a lackluster job, so subsequent generations are thankful that Madison took it upon himself to take notes on the debates. Other delegates also provide insight into the personalities of the various delegates. For example, a Georgia delegate, William Pierce, included with his report to the Georgia legislature character sketches of the participants and observations about how debates were conducted.

More than the personalities of the delegates, however, the Constitutional Convention was influenced by its structure. Thirty members would attend an average session, thereby making...